what to do with conference pears

Are Conference pears good for cooking?

Conference pears are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as baking, roasting, and poaching. ... Conference pears can also be poached in wine and citrus zest or simple syrup, baked on a pizza, blended in smoothies with ginger, roasted in warm spices, or baked in a tart or cheesecake.

What can I do with a glut of conference pears?

What can I do with surplus pears? Jam, chutney, wine and more!

Grate. Pears don't properly ripen until they have been picked. ...
Freeze. Like most fruits, pears are happy to spend a while in the freezer. ...
Jam. Pear jam isn't the most obvious preserve but it's a tasty one, particularly if combined with a few well chosen spices. ...
Chutney. ...
Booze.

What to do with lots of pears?

8 Easy Ways to Use Your Pear Harvest

Canned Pears. Canning is certainly one of the most obvious and time-honored ways of preserving pears, although it is time-consuming. ...
Pear Juice. You enjoy apple juice, orange juice and cranberry juice—why not squeeze up a glass of pear juice? ...
Frozen Pears. ...
Pear Pie. ...
Pear Butter. ...
Pickled Pears. ...
Refrigerate Pears. ...
Pear Salads.

Can you eat conference pears?

The primary use for Conference pears is for eating but they can also be used for cooking.

Can I cook unripe pears?

Baking an unripe pear not only makes it tender, it also crystallizes and magnifies the fruit's flavour. Happily, any kind of pear — and there are many varieties — will work in this recipe, as will a mix of varieties. Pears also have a lot to offer in terms of health.

What are the best pears to cook with?

With so many varieties available on the market, it can be tough to choose which pears work best for baking. We recommend using Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou pears. These varieties have the highest volume and are widely available in grocery stores year-round.

Can you freeze pears without cooking?

If you want to use frozen pears in an uncooked method, such as a fresh fruit side dish, use the syrup pack method. This method is also the best choice when you start with pears that are on the firm side.

Can I freeze pears without cooking them?

First, store your pears until they are perfectly ripened. ... Choose your preservation method: Preserving your pears in syrup will result in the best color and texture, but you can also freeze them in sugar, juice, water, or nothing at all. If you're planning to use them uncooked, consider syrup or juice.

What is the best way to preserve pears?

If properly sealed, pear preserves can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to one year. A simple storage option for pear jam, butter, and chutney. Storing halved or whole preserved pears in the freezer is not recommended due to their fragile texture. Preserves can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.

How do you freeze fresh pears?

Lift fruit out of the water; do not let it soak. Peel, halve, and core pears, then cut into slices or wedges. Line a cookie sheet or sheet pan with parchment paper, then top that prepared sheet with the sliced pears. Place the sheet and pears in the freezer and allow to freeze solid.

What to do with hard cooking pears?

You can bake almost any pear but Bosc and Bartletts are particularly good and their size make a half-pear a perfect single serving. Baked pears are a perfect companion to French toast at breakfast, or as dessert, when served with a drizzle of creamy sauce anglais or a piece of blue cheese.

How do you store pears for the winter?

Store your pears at 30 F (and at 85% to 90% humidity), or as close to it as you can get. Any colder than this, and the fruit will be damaged; any warmer, and it'll ripen faster than you want. If you have a spare refrigerator (or you have extra space in your refrigerator), this is the ideal spot to stash your fruit.

How do you soften Conference pears?

Add ripe bananas or apples to the paper bag to ripen pears in 1-3 days. To produce ripe pears in just 1-3 days, place a banana or apple in the paper bag with your pears. The ripe fruits give off ethylene gas, which causes the pears to ripen very quickly.

When should I pick Conference pears?

Pears tend to ripen from the inside, so if you leave them on the tree until they look ripe, they may already be mushy inside. So it is best to pick pears when they are mature but not fully ripe, and let them ripen at home. Again, cup the fruit in your hand and tilt horizontally, and it should come away easily.

How do you know when a conference pear is ripe?

Pears ripen from the inside out, so you can't judge their ripeness by looking at the skin. To test if a pear is ripe, apply gentle pressure near the stem end. If it gives slightly, it's most likely ready to be eaten. Pears are one of the few fruits that don't ripen successfully on the tree.

Can I give raw pear to my baby?

Can I give raw pear to my baby? Once your baby is 8-10 months old, you can feed him or her raw, peeled pears. I recommend peeling to reduce the risk of gagging and choking. Also, be sure to stay very near your baby when you feed her finger foods, to prevent choking.

Can you boil pears?

While boiling a pear certainly softens it, it can make the flesh of the fruit too soft for certain recipes. For firmer fruit, poach pears in vanilla-scented water and serve them with yogurt or granola. Grilling pears softens the fruits while adding a smoky flavor.

How long does it take pears to ripen after picked?

After harvest, pears should be cooled for a couple of days at least. To ripen them, bring the temperature up to 65 to 75 degrees. They should ripen in four to five days. I would try a few pears you think are right, cool them for a couple of days, then ripen and see how they develop.

What is healthier a pear or apple?

Pears are not better than apples. They have similar health benefits, though we know much more about how apples impact health than pears. In fact, research into the health benefits of pears is ongoing. Both apples and pears contain pectin, a fiber that nourishes gut bacteria.

Should pears be refrigerated?

Leave firm, unripe pears at room temperature so that they can ripen. ... If it yields to pressure, then it's ripe and ready to eat! Once the pear is ripe, it can be refrigerated to slow the ripening process and saved for use up to five days later.

Are Comice pears good for poaching?

One of the most popular ways to prepare pears for dessert is to poach them. Comice pears are very delicate and care must be taken when poaching. First, choose pears that are slightly under ripe as an over ripe Comice will turn to mush if poached.