Remember the 75 pounds of peaches? Well, now I am happy to be swimming in pears.
These are sand pears: crunchy, crisp and (hence the name) slightly gritty.
I was glad I didn’t have one fall on my head as I was picking them; those pears are big and pretty heavy too!
I’m not as panicky about getting them processed as I was about the peaches; sand pears ripen much more slowly.
I have found that the grittiness is reduced as they ripen.
Right now I have a batch of spiced sand pear butter in the Crock-Pot; look for that recipe soon!
Other plans include a gingery pear jam and pear cobbler mix.
Do you have any favorite sand pear recipes? I’d love to hear your ideas. It seems that many have never even heard of these pears.
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Coffee to Compost 
Alright – congratulations!
Yes – I have a recipe around here somewhere for the most amazing sweet and spicy pear salsa you’ve ever tasted. Utterly addicting. I’ll look for it.
I’d like to try it!
I got a bunch last year from someone who claimed not to like pears. Perhaps because he picked them when they were hard and inedible? I was able to can them in syrup and that softened them up perfectly.
Good for you! I’m sure they were delicious!
I’m just finishing preserving 60 lbs myself – exhausting but yeah, definitely way better than the “peach frenzy” we just finished 🙂
Yeah, peaches are a “can me now before I rot in your kitchen” kind of bounty. Pears aren’t nearly as demanding.
Looking for some sand pears to make a relish. I am in SE Texas along the coast Beaumont, Port Arthur area. Any thoughts of where to buy or pick some.
Thanks Pat
Not sure. If you’re on Facebook, I’d post something there. You may have a friend with a loaded tree just waiting to give some away!
Thanks will do! :>)
I hope you find some!