Nature's Gift for Fall: Pears


The Yakima and Hood River Valleys of the Pacific Northwest grow the largest concentration of pears sold commercially in the US; while in Canada, Ontario claims that distinction.

A few of my favorite pear recipes:

Pear Chutney

  • 8-lbs. Ripe pears
  • 2 whole onions, peeled and chopped
  • 1 clove of garlic, chopped
  • 1 cup white raisins
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 Tblsp. ginger
  • 2 Tbls. White mustard seed
  • <1 hot red pepper, fresh or dried
  • 1 quart white vinegar

Core and dice pears, place with chopped onions and garlic in large pot. Add remaining ingredients. Cook on low heat until clear, stirring occasionally, about 4 hours. Pour into hot, sterilized jars. Delicious as an accompaniment to pork, or other meats. Enjoy!

Pear Nut Bread

  • ½ cup butter or margarine
  • 1-cup sugar
  • 2 unbeaten eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 11/2 tablespoons of sour cream
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 1 cup finely chopped pears

Cut butter into sugar with fork; add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in sour cream and vanilla. Mix flour and other dry ingredients. Add nuts. Stir in pears. Combine with egg mixture. Spread into a greased large or 2 small loaf pans. Bake in slow, 325-degree oven for about an hour. Great spread with cream cheese!

Pear-Walnut Crisp

  • 1 well-beaten egg
  • 1 cup diced pears
  • 1 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 cup chopped nuts
  • 2/3 cups sugar
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 teaspoons baking powder

Combine egg, pears, and nuts. Mix flour and sugar and baking powder. Combine with pear mixture. Spread into buttered round 8" layer pan. Bake in 350-degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Serve with whipped cream, ice cream, or plain. Delicious.

Basically, you can substitute pears in most apple recipes, too. Experiment a bit. Enjoyment is sure to follow! Meanwhile, October will be a busy month at my house, harvesting nature's fall gift.

Photos copyright of Renie Burghardt

The copyright of the article Nature's Gift for Fall: Pears in Nature Sketches is owned by Renie Burghardt. Permission to republish Nature's Gift for Fall: Pears in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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