Pears ~ Pears ~ Pears

Most people in the U.S. consider pears to be a fall fruit, but for me, pears are a marker of mid-summer. But it wasn't always this way: The first summer I was in my house, I didn't pick any pears and actually considered removing the tree, but a friend talked me into keeping it. And I am so glad I listened!

Generally, pears that grow in the Deep South are commonly called "cooking pears." And it's true: most are far too hard to eat fresh and require cooking. But the ones that grow in my yard are delicious and crisp and sweet! I peel and eat about one fresh pear per day during the season.


But with about 300 pears on my tree, what do I do with the rest? Well, this year, I have shared with family and neighbors (as usual), brought a few bags to the community garden, and I canned some ...



... and made Vanilla Pear Butter, which is out of this world yummy on hot French bread or a turkey sandwich ...



... and pear bread (served with a side of fresh figs, another summer favorite!) ...



... and pear cobbler (baking as I write!).

ETA: The cobbler is delicious!


After canning one day, I also poached some pears to eat with leftover butterscotch ganache. Yum!



And still - still! - I have about 100 pears left on the tree. My, oh my ... what a lucky girl I am!