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The Kitchen Table

What is your favorite pear?

15 years ago

I love Bosc. They have a wonderful flavor.

Years ago a little Japanese produce seller told me they are the "Cadillac of pears." I agree!

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Comments (19)

mboston_gw
15 years ago
I love Red Bartletts when I can find them. I like my pears on the soft side.
dotmom
15 years ago
I don't remember ever buying pears t a store. They always seem too hard, and i don't know what to look for to see if they are ripe. One year my Daughter got me a fruit of the month club membership from David & Harry's. One month the fruit was Riviera pears. Oh my!! Sweet and mega juicy. I've never seen them in stores, but I've never forgotten how I had to eat them with a spoon, they were so juicy.
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I believe a variety can be both pollen sterile and self fruitful, via parthenocarpy, which I also believe to be a common ability of pears. Usually this creates seedless fruit but apparently not always, according to the text book in my lap (my brain isn't functional enough to hold onto words like parthenocarpy). Parthenocarpy in pears apparently relies on warm conditions during early fruit development (according to Childers in "Modern Fruit Science") and a great many varieties are capable of it. I don't believe such pears tend to be smaller or more sparse on a tree than pollinated fruit as long as weather is favorable. It used to be fairly common for growers in CA of Bartlett pears to plant orchards without pollinators, so in the right site there may be no advantage to having compatible pollen around with many pear varieties. The fact that this is a weather dependent phenomena may lead to a lot of the confusion about what varieties are self fruitful. In the south you are more likely to have warm conditions during fruit development than in the north, I believe.
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Someone from the forum posted this one a long time ago, but I am not sure who. I make it often, it's become one of our favorites. Party Pear Salad 4 c. mixed greens 2 pears 1/2 c. craisins 1/2 c. toasted walnuts or pecans Dressing: 2 T. white wine vinegar or Balsamic 2 T. Sugar 1/4 c. vegetable oil 1/2 t. salt 1/4 t. pepper For dressing, combine vinegar and sugar; whisk oil into mixture and add salt and pepper. Set aside. Wash and thinly slice pears, leaving skin on. Place into dressing mixture to retain color until ready to serve. Add craisins to soften. Place 1 cup of lettuce on each plate, top with dressing and fruit mixture, sprinkle with nuts. Here are a couple more favorites. Roasted Corn, Black Bean and Mango Salad Source: Cooking Light 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 3 cups fresh corn kernels (about 6 ears) 2 cups diced peeled ripe mango (about 2 pounds) 1 cup chopped red onion 1 cup chopped red bell pepper 1/3 cup fresh lime juice 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 drained canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce, chopped 2 (15-ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained 8 cups gourmet salad greens Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds. Stir in corn; cook 8 minutes or until browned, stirring occasionally. Place corn mixture in a large bowl. Add mango and remaining ingredients except greens; stir well. Arrange 1 cup greens on each of 8 plates. Spoon 1 cup corn mixture over greens. Macho Gazpacho Vegetable Chunk Salad Source: Rachael Ray 1/2 seedless cucumber, also known as English cucumber 2 vine ripe tomatoes, seeded 1 green bell pepper, seeded 1/2 red onion, peeled 4 ribs celery from the heart, including leafy tops 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves or flat-leaf parsley 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1 lime or 1/2 lemon, juiced 1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce, for mild to medium-hot heat level (recommended: Tabasco) 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper Cut cucumber, tomatoes, pepper, onion and celery into bite-sized chunks. Combine vegetable in a bowl. Sprinkle cilantro or parsley over the vegetables. Combine vinegar, lime or lemon juice and hot sauce in a small bowl. Whisk in extra-virgin olive oil in a slow stream. Pour dressing down over the salad and toss. Season salad with salt and pepper and serve. Linda
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socks
Original Author
15 years ago
Oh yes, those Riviera's are so tasty too. They make a good gift, something you wouldn't buy for yourself but would love to have.

The Bosc's are a firmer pear. I buy them and let them sit out a day or two before eating. Others I let soften up. I don't think Bosc's ever soften up until it's too late.
lynn_d
15 years ago
Bosc lover here!! DH likes the d'anjou or the red bartletts.
pekemom
15 years ago
Harry & David also makes a Riviera Pear candle,
Smells delicious!
sleeperblues
15 years ago
Boscs all the way. The H&D fruit I've gotten spoil so fast.
ntt_hou
15 years ago
My favorite is Asian Pears. They're big, crunchy, very juicy and sweeeet!
Jodi_SoCal
15 years ago
Asian Pears 120%! Won't even touch any other pear and my brother works for Harry & David, so I've tasted other pears.
patti43
15 years ago
I like just about any pear as long as it's ripe. But those Riviera pears are the best IMHO.

Pekemom, I think I may gift myself with a pear candle. I'd love my house to smell like those pears!
socks
Original Author
15 years ago
I don't know why, but I thought Harry & David went out of business. I guess not.
pekemom
15 years ago
Harry & David candles are sold at Safeway here. (Colorado)
I have their peach and lemon bar candles also, love them all!
gemini40
15 years ago
Bartlett pears for me too, red or yellow..
socks
Original Author
15 years ago
The candles are a little pricey for me, and we never burn candles. I wouldn't mind having one to sit around though.(DH retired firefighter.)
mawheel
15 years ago
My favorite is a Bartlett, but they are so fragile and bruise easily, I rarely buy them. DJ likes Bosc best, and now, I do, too. It usually takes three or four days for them to ripen completely, but they're still hard and firm. When they're "just right", they're perfect! Hey, I guess Bartletts aren't my favorite, anymore. :>(
susanjf_gw
15 years ago
sometime try fresh pears of your choice with greek unflavored yogurt and drizzle of honey...really refreshing dessert...

not quite a pear but love those pear/apples...
Jodi_SoCal
15 years ago
Socks, something is going on with H&D, my brother is currently looking for employment after many years working at one of their Oregon offices.
socks
Original Author
15 years ago
Below is what I found on Wikipedia. Like so many companies, struggling to survive:

"Harry and David filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 28, 2011 in hopes of restructuring its debt."

Probably laying off, encouraging retirement, downsizing, etc. It's so unfortunate.
casey_nfld
15 years ago
Packham but you can't get them often around here, I like Asian pears too.
petaloid
15 years ago
I like pears in general, but the Asian ones are probably my favorite.

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