Simple Recipes to Use Up Leftover Pears
This 5-minute spinach pear smoothie (The Natural Nurturer) is a simple blend of banana, cinnamon and vegan Greek yoghurt with ripe pears and spinach.
Spinach is high in vitamin K, potassium and oxalic acid, so check medication and avoid for kidney stones/disease. Avoid basil for bleeding disorders or low blood pressure (it can slow blood clotting).
Pears are one of the most popular fruits in England, as long as you can find juicy ripe pears, and not rock-hard ones flown in from across the world.
Packed with calcium, there are over 3000 varieties worldwide, but we are in danger of losing many varieties as our orchards are endangered. Pears are nutritious, but very low in calories.
Try to buy pears from farm shops, as most pears in supermarkets are frozen and chilled then sent from abroad, so are nothing like ripe juicy pears in season. They will be cheaper, and taste better!
Pears are in season from September to January, try to buy under-ripe as they bruise easily and continue to ripen at home.
Conference pears are the most common and is good raw or cooked, as are comic pears. Store pears in a cool place. You can eat them raw or poach them in hot water (15 to 20 minutes) or even fry them.
Seek Out Juicy Organic Local Pears
Have you ever tried a proper juicy organic pear? Most supermarkets only sell rock-hard pears from abroad, which are shipped (or more likely air-freighted) to England frozen. Then then sit in central distribution houses (all the chilling and travelling uses a colossal amount of oil).
Real pears are organically grown and super-juicy, you’ll need a napkin! They are packed with nutrition (and surprisingly for a fruit, they are rich in calcium).
Most people can eat pears, though obviously avoid for young children and choking hazards. Also keep away from pets, as fruit pips and seed are unsafe near animal friends.
England has a quite few types of pears, and you’ll find good ones at local organic box schemes, farm shops or farmers’ markets (they will also not be packed in plastic packaging). Good ones include:
- Conference (sweet and juicy!)
- Comice (even sweeter, a great dessert pear)
- Concorde (widely grown)
- Williams (Bartlett (proper English!)
You can also (just like cooking apples) buy cooking pears. So keep an eye out! Cooked pears is a lovely teatime warming treat in cold weather.
Of course, two other ways to support our local pear growers are to buy organic pear juice (again often found in farm shops). Or failing that, head thee to your local pub, and order some organic vegan cider (fermented pears, not just apples!)
Homemade Roast Pears in ginger syrup
These roasted pears in ginger syrup (Full of Plants) are a nice warming dessert. So simple to make, and ideal if you have some ‘rock-hard’ pears that need cooking, to soften them up.
Before cooking, read up on food safety for people and pets.
This recipe cooks up fresh pears with ginger, and the dish is naturally sweetened with maple syrup and coconut sugar. Serve the dish with vegan vanilla ice-cream.
Of course, you could also make this dish with other winter veggies like cooked apples. Thomas says you could add a teaspoon of real vanilla extract (don’t use fake vanilla, it’s vile and often made with castoreum from beavers).
You could add in some warming spices, or even (for adults) add some chopped nuts for protein and crunch.
Pear Ginger Cake with Rosemary Caramel Sauce
This pear ginger cake (Chickpea magazine) is made with golden syrup and nutmeg, served with a rosemary caramel sauce. It keeps well so make in advance, and warm up leftovers or serve with afternoon tea.
Ginger Vegan Cheesecake with Poached Pears
Ginger Orange Cheesecake with Poached Pears (Rainbow Plant Life) combines ginger cookies and pecan nuts, with a delicious rich and creamy cashew/coconut cream filling.
