Pear up your life!

Don’t you just love pears? You can bite into a juicy raw pear and feel the sweetness dribble down your face. Have you tried baking, grilling or sautéing them? Or, mix and match with other vegetables, fruits or meats for a perfect sweet and salty dinner. Add some sliced pears to your regular green salad and you’ll fall in love with that sweet taste in your mouth.

A medium sized pear has 6 grams of fiber which is roughly a quarter of our daily adult needs. It’s a good source of potassium and vitamin C, a well-known antioxidant. If you’re taking care of your health, pears contain about 100 calories and no saturated fat, sodium, or cholesterol.

Grocery stores often display less ripe fruit so that they can keep them for several days before you purchase them.  Simply allow your pears at home to ripen by leaving them at room temperature in your own kitchen.

One of the most common questions is: How do I stop pears from browning? This is a natural process that occurs when pears that are cut or chopped are exposed to oxygen, also known as oxidation. By adding a mild solution of 50% water and 50% lemon juice you can slow down this process. Poaching pears will also slow the browning process.

How about freezing pears? Raw pears are not recommended for freezing as the juice and fibers will separate as they thaw. However, you can freeze cooked, pear pie fillings or sauces as long as they’re in a tightly sealed container.

Be creative. Where will you be adding pears for your healthy dinner meal?