pears
nutrition and recipes

If you live in Texas, there is someone with a pear tree close by. Well, many other states are in pear season as well. In August and September, pears begin to ripen. Pears are so tasty and sweet that they can be used as a sweetener in many recipes. 

nutrition

Pears are an excellent source of fiber. The skins contain about half of the fiber so it is good to leave the peel on. If you are lucky enough to know someone with a tree, you usually don't need to worry about pesticides. If you buy the fruit from the store, be sure to wash the it extra thoroughly. As with all fruit, it is best eaten raw and fresh. Organic is good.

Nutrients: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Potassium, iron, and copper. They also have 1% of the recommended Daily amount of Vitamin A and Calcium.

Pear Smoothie

To make this pear smoothie you need three different types of pears. I used an asian pear which is similar to an apple. It has a nice crunchy texture. I used a red anjou pear. It was so sweet and delicious, and I used a bartlett pear. I added blueberries, spinach and cherries for more flavor and nutrients,

Ingredients:
3                  pears (different varieties of chopped pears - or any type pear you like)
2/3 C           blueberries
1 C              sweet cherries
1/2 to 2/3 C spinach
3/4 C           water
1 C              crushed ice

Place all ingredients in the blender and blend until you reach the consistency you like.

Pear butter with no sugar
yummy for sure

3         lb. pears                   1/2        t ginger          
1 or 2  apples                    1/16        t nutmeg
3         T honey                  1/16        t cloves
1         t  cinnamon

Get out  your kitchen scale. If you don't have one, Wal-Mart probably has some. I have 
had mine for years and it is handy. Peel the pears and cut them into pieces. Weigh the peeled pears until you have 3 pounds. Then add a peeled apple or two. I used one large honey crisp apple.

Put the pears and apple into a pot and add the honey and spices. Add more ground spices if your favorites are not listed. Put on the heat and cook for 50 to 60 minutes stirring often.

When it is thick and the pears are very tender, I remove it from the stove and let it cool. I pour it into my blender and blend it to a nice pear butter consistency. Then I put it back into the pot and cook until the consistency is pleasing. 

Soon you will have a heavenly smell wafting through your house and some delicious apple butter.

If you are going to eat it soon (we usually do), then you just put it in jars and refrigerate it.  This will not keep in the cupboard. It needs to  be refrigerated and eaten in a week to a week and a half. This fills four half-pint jars with a bit extra to eat right away.

If you want to can your pear butter and not have to refrigerate it until you open it, you will need to process the butter covered with boiling water for at least 10 minutes.

I would eat this on sprouted grain bread as an occasional snack while I am following my cholesterol lowering diet. It is also good eaten like applesauce. No bread needed.

Pear butter is quite nice spread on wafflettes. Click here for wafflette recipe.

Pear Cake

This is very yummy, but it is definitely for a cheat day
or just for a day when there is company coming

This is super easy. Just put the ingredients below into a large bowl and stir with a spoon.

1. 1       C oil
2. 2       C sugar
3. 3       eggs
4. 3       C flour
5. 1       t soda
6. 1/2    t salt
   
7. 1 1/2 t cinnamon
8. 1       t vanilla
9. 1/2    C milk

Now stir in:

1. 3       cups chopped pears
2. 1       cup nuts

Bake at 325 degrees for 50 to 60 minutes. When it is almost done, make the glaze:

1/2 cup brown, 1/2 cube butter and 2 T milk. Boil ingredients 1 1/2 minutes and pour over hot cake in pan.

---

We went to the local nursery and bought a four year old pear tree. Next year it should give us a few pears. This is a kiefer pear tree. We are going to get a different variety pear tree next year. You can't have too many pears.