Welcome to our weekly series where we’ll let you know what fruit and vegetables are market fresh this week, give you handy storage tips and recipes to make the most of seasonal produce.
Lauded as a gift from the Gods, pears have been a favourite fruit around the world for centuries. There are more than 5000 pear varieties grown globally, however, only a small percentage of these are commercially produced.
In Australia, the most common are Packham’s Triumph, Williams and Beurre Bosc, along with Corella, Josephine, Red Anjou, Red Sensation and Winter Nelis.
When buying pears, look for firm, plump fruit without any large, dark or soft spots, or tears in the flesh. To check ripeness, gently press the flesh near the stem, if it yields slightly the pear is ripe and ready to eat.
If you want to ripen pears at home, store them at room temperature in a paper bag or fruit bowl. You can also add a banana or apple to the bag to speed up the ripening process as they release ethylene gas.
Once ripe, store pears in the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process and extend their shelf life.
Pears can be frozen, allowing you to enjoy them outside of their peak season. There are several methods you can use, including syrup-packed or dry-packed freezing, depending on how you plan to use the pears later.
Wash, peel and core the pears and soak them in a mixture of water, salt, ascorbic acid and lemon juice to help prevent browning and discolouring. Drain the pears and choose a freezing method:
Syrup-packed is ideal for firm pears you want to use fresh, like in salads or desserts. Dry-packed is best for cooked dishes like pies or sauces, while sugar-packed is good for jams, jellies or fruit butter.
Pack the pears in freezer-safe bags or containers, leaving some head space for expansion if using containers. The pears can be frozen for up to 8-10 months.
A good source of fibre to support gut health, pears are also a source of flavonoids which may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and support heart health. Low in calories and high in fibre and water, they can also aid weight management and contain protective plant compounds which may protect against cancer.
Here are three recipes to put fresh and in-season pears on the table this week:
This roast chicken with kale, pear and sweet potato salad is a complete and satisfying meal and an easy way to pimp up a weeknight roast.
For a simple family dinner, serve up this one-pan pork and pear bake. The harissa adds a smoky kick that'll leave your mouth watering. So delicious!
A refreshing and crunchy recipe that is great for lunch or dinner. With crunchy salad and juicy beef this lemongrass beef with Asian pear salad is one of your go-tos.
