European Pears! Not as Tricky as They Seem
European Pears - What are they?
Bartlett and Starkrimson pears kick off pear season, with these early European pears making their appearance in early August and sticking around for months, with Bartletts growing until February in some parts of the country!
A massive pear we came across in a harvest last season!
When & how to Harvest
European pears are best when picked when fully grown, but before they are ripe, as ripening on the tree causes pears to develop a gritty texture. European pears also ripen from the inside out. Therefore, it’s best to determine harvest readiness by waiting until the pears can be easily pulled off tree branches rather than using ripeness as an indicator (Note: Asian pears are totally different and will be mentioned in a future post). As with apples, pull and twist gently, or lift them up toward the sky, when picking to avoid damaging any tree branches. The small piece of wood the pear is growing on is the fruit spur - damage that THIS year and you don’t get fruit in that location NEXT year.
Most European pears do not change color when ripe. However, Bartlett and Starkrimson pears are exceptions. Red Bartletts will go from dark red to bright red, and green Bartletts will go from dark to a brighter green. Similarly, Starkrimsons will start as deep crimson to a bright crimson. European pears can last 1-3 months in a refrigerator when unripe. Alternatively, if you want to use your pears sooner, you can leave them on the counter for about a week after harvest to ripen.
what do they taste like?
Both Bartletts and Starkrimsons make great eating pears, as they are very sweet, aromatic, and juicy. Starkrimsons also have a pleasant floral note. European pears are as versatile as apples, and can be preserved (canned or frozen) as and used similarly in pear butter, pear sauce, and pie filling recipes. Pears are also great in chutney. For a simpler canning recipe, you can preserve your pears in a vanilla spiced simple syrup.
As usual, if you’re not into canning, refrigerator pickles or dehydrating are great options for extending the shelf life of your fruit. Try pickling pears with balsamic or red wine vinegar for something a little different to go on a charcuterie board or salad. You can also throw a few slices of pear on pizza with toppings like feta, figs, prosciutto, and sausage. European pears also “pear” well with lavender in jam or alcoholic beverages. Lastly, you can bake pears as a dessert or throw pears in your favorite muffin, cake, or sweet bread recipe to add moistness and flavor.
Are you new to canning, but want to learn? Join an upcoming canning workshop!
How to Store
European pears can last 1-3 months in a refrigerator when unripe. Alternatively, if you want to use your pears sooner, you can leave them on the counter for about a week after harvest to ripen. As a general rule, we recommend leaving your pears in the refrigerator for at least two weeks to develop their sugars prior to fully ripening on the counter.
Do you have extra and need help?
Talk to your neighbors! It’s a great way to meet them and you can share your abundance hyper locally!
Donate it through Portland Fruit Tree Project’s Fruit Fridge! Harvest and drop off at your convenience and we’ll get it all used up!
Can’t harvest it? Register for us to come harvest for you!
Take the next step with Portland Fruit Tree Project!
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