Pear Harvest

Today I ventured out early with Gizzy to walk around the lake since we've been hibernating for a few days and needed to look around.

To my surprise there were still quite a few pears left on the tree. I didn't expect to see this many. Unfortunately I can't reach the pretty big ones because I'm too short, so I just pick the ones I can and some off the ground. It's a shame not more people make an effort to use these.









I know they're not that good straight from the tree. They're kind of hard and the skin's really thick and unappetizing looking, but if you let them sit in a paper bag for a few days, they will turn very juicy and sweet for eating raw.



I've been preparing a delicious compote with a little brown sugar and cinnamon for a tasty treat chilled or warm over pancakes or ice cream...or even in a blender for a healthy breakfast beverage.

I have another batch to peel, core and cook to stock up my freezer for later. I'm so glad to have this wonderful pear tree that just stands around making pears that nobody wants - except for me, the ants and the wasps - oh, well...

It does take some work to prepare these, but it's all worth it. Yum!!! (Oh, I've read somewhere that canned pears are good for the heart. I think it was a Prevention magazine, but I would imagine anything healthy would be good for the heart, right?)













There seem to be a lot of these pear trees growing here and people always tell me they have pears that they don't like, so I've been telling everyone that I will pick them if they don't want them so they won't go to waste. Otherwise, they just let them rot. I think it's such a shame to not use the bounty of the land, especially when nature and the bees do all the work for us. With a little time and effort, they can be prepared into a very delicious stew because I'd rather eat fresh than canned or frozen anytime.



So, thank you, little honey bees, for doing such a fine job pollinating! You did good!!!