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I have just been given a whole bag of lovely "Conference" pears.  They are however hard and I do not have the foggiest what to do with them.  I thought that they would make good bottled pears for puddings later in the year.

Any ideas guys?

Jitterbug

Can't help on the preserving front Jitterbug - but we got some beautiful pears from a neighbour (Louise Bonne of Jersey - the pear that is not the neighbour) - and I roasted some with beetroot in the oven as a side dish to go with Lentil Loaf and pots and they were gorgeous like that.

Hard conference pears? Eat them as they are -  that's how they are best!  I love them when they are hard and crunchy - and they are so difficult to get down here.

If you store them in a cool dark place they'll keep for ages. They'll soften up if you bring them into the house.

If you fancy cooking them, Pears in red wine is delicious.

What about apple and pear chutney??

http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/511785

You might also want to have a look at this link http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes.php?categ=jams-preserves%2Cpears

27 recipies includes Ginger Pear Preserve, Golden Saffron Pear Chutney, Spiced Lemon & Pear Marmalade, Pears pickled in Merlot Wine, microwave winter pear amaretto jam etc

If you go to deliaonline.co.uk you should find a recipe for pickled pears.  The recipe is also in her Summer cookbook.

valmarg

poach them in cider and ginger then freeze, makes lovely crumble or nice with cream  :)

They bottle well - in a light syrup - but I've mislaid my HMSO book.

Just made pear sorbet with mine, it was delicious. ;)

Thanks guys - guess what I'm doing this week-end - once I have paid another visit to the pear tree...

Jitterbug