Chelsea asks an excellent question:
"any tips on ripening them? we have an ancient pear tree also, but can't seem to get much of anything palatable from her."
my current method (cough) of ripening pears is to line them up along a windowsill, photograph them mercilessly, then wait until they soften up. which, alas, isn't really working. thoughts?
I can't eat pears raw. I'm Pear intollerant. I just won't stand for them.
I'd do what I normally do with excess fruit. Make them into a pickle, relish or chutney.
Last resort....baked on some divine desert.
Posted by: Ro | March 24, 2011 at 02:26 PM
Purdue is a good reference for such things. Here is what the university says about ripening pears: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/ext/pears.html
As always, such a pretty shot, Lucy. You have a way . . ..
Posted by: Christina | March 24, 2011 at 03:56 PM
my tip is to have a pear or two in your fruit bowl that you are really looking forward to eating while really crisp and you will find when you get to it, that it has softened just too much
Posted by: Johanna GGG | March 24, 2011 at 10:07 PM
Pears don't ripen on the tree. You need to pick them - before the birds get to them - and ripen them indoors. Windowsills are perfect for this.
Posted by: Thesaurus | March 25, 2011 at 06:48 AM
great thoughts, guys - thank you!
Christina, you are a gem, and i DO hope you know that. at least i'm on the right track. think i may have picked mine a wee bit too early, 'cos i was trying to beat the cockatoos and parrots to 'em.
Posted by: Lucy | March 25, 2011 at 08:28 AM
PLace then in a paper bag with a banana. Then just wait toll you can press the top in slightly
Posted by: Andrew | March 25, 2011 at 12:23 PM
No one believes in putting the fruit in a brown paper bag? I twist the top and let it set in a cool dark space on a kitchen counter. We did this when we were kids. My grandparents had pear trees whose fruit didn't ripen fast enough for us. So, Grandma used the brown paper bag magic trick!
It works faster than a window sill, or maybe I'm just fooling myself.
Posted by: Limner | March 25, 2011 at 04:21 PM
Andrew & Limner, guys, that's exactly what I'm going to try next, thank you. luckily there are still a few left on the tree...
Posted by: Lucy | March 25, 2011 at 04:41 PM
All your photos are so so beautiful. But I really really really love this one!! There is something so innocent about those pears peering out your window.... even if they refuse to ripen, their cheekiness is hidden behind inquisitive shapes.
Posted by: Sophie | March 25, 2011 at 05:00 PM
So helpful - thanks! I think I may have picked mine a bit early in the past too. Though here, it's the birds that get the top of the tree and the deer who munch the bottom - it's a wonder we get any at all...
I love those beauties on the windowsill; if nothing else they sure are nice for photographing.
Posted by: chelsea | March 25, 2011 at 11:11 PM
The traditional Chinese way of ripening fruit is to immerse it in uncooked rice. Either a bowl or if you have a bag of rice or if you like many Chinese, a lidded bin of rice. Check on the fruit every day until it is ready to eat. You don't want it going past ripe and spoiling your rice!
Posted by: Genie | March 26, 2011 at 11:19 PM
Sophie, i love pears - sexy lady-shaped fruits, full of promise.
Genie: that's a brilliant idea...i've just buried one in a jar of rice and will report back, thank you.
Posted by: Lucy | March 29, 2011 at 08:27 AM
Whether or not it's working, your pear ripening method is just beautiful Lucy - the light on that window sill is glorious! I was going to suggest the paper bag route too but it looks like the rice option could be a winner.
And now, I must go and locate a pear to eat.
Posted by: Georgia | March 29, 2011 at 01:58 PM
i love pears, great photo :O)
Posted by: betty | April 05, 2011 at 11:43 AM