There are only four things you need to make this tasty pear sorbet: a few overripe pears, a little maple syrup, some lemon juice, and cinnamon. Plus, you don’t need an ice cream maker to make this pear sorbet. If you love frozen desserts, you will love this healthy treat. This sorbet is so good that I’ve been letting a few pears get too ripe just so I can enjoy it.
Wondering what to do with pears going bad? I get it. Costco is where I get a lot of my food, and I often bring home more than my daughter and I can eat. Pears ripen so quickly, and I don’t like eating them when they’re overripe and mushy. I’ve been trying to waste less food lately, so when I saw those sad pears in my fruit bowl begging for help, I thought of a creative way to use them.
No ice cream maker needed: The trick is to freeze the pears before blending in a food processor
Pears are a delightful fruit that have a relatively short season. When they are ripe and ready to eat, their sweet floral aroma and lush, juicy texture make them an absolute treat. However, pears tend to ripen quickly and can go from perfectly ripe to overripe in just a few days. If you’ve ever found yourself with a kitchen counter full of pears past their prime, you know how frustrating it can be. But don’t despair – there are many clever ways to use up pears that are going bad!
In this article, we’ll explore 15 ideas for repurposing those rapidly ripening pears, from simple storage techniques to mouthwatering recipes that transform them into something delicious. Read on to get inspired and make the most of this seasonal fruit.
Signs Your Pears Are Going Bad
How can you tell if your pears are overripe and need to be used up? Here are a few telltale signs of pears going bad
- Soft, mushy flesh
- Shriveled skin
- Brown spots
- Fermented smell
- Mold growth
Once pears reach this stage it’s best to use them up right away before they spoil further. The great news is that overripe pears still have a lot of flavor and culinary potential.
Storage Tips to Slow Down Ripening
Proper storage is key to keeping pears fresh and slowing down ripening. Here are some tips:
-
Store unripe pears at room temperature, away from sunlight. This ripens them faster.
-
Once ripe, refrigerate pears to slow ripening. Cold temps prolong freshness.
-
Keep pears away from ethylene-producing fruits like apples, which hasten ripening
-
After cutting, sprinkle lemon juice on pear slices to prevent browning.
-
Transfer ripened pears to the fridge and aim to eat within 3-5 days.
15 Clever Ways to Use Pears That Are Going Bad
Even overripe pears don’t have to go to waste. Here are 15 great ways to repurpose those rapidly softening fruits:
1. Make Homemade Pear Sauce
Luscious pear sauce is a snap to make. Simply peel, core and chop overly ripe pears. Simmer in a saucepan with lemon juice and cinnamon until soft. Mash or blend to desired consistency. Delicious on its own or as a topping.
2. Freeze Them
Freeze sliced pears in a single layer on a sheet pan. Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags. They’ll keep for up to 6 months. Great for smoothies or baking later.
3. Add Them to Smoothies
The soft texture of overripe pears blends up easily into creamy smoothies. Combine with yogurt, milk, greens, spices like cinnamon or nutmeg. A nutritious breakfast!
4. Preserve Them
Overripe pears are ideal candidates for jams, jellies, chutneys and butters. Their high sugar content helps them gel and retain flavor. Extend their shelf life!
5. Bake Them into Muffins
Chop up mushy pears to fold into muffin, quick bread or cake batters. Their moisture and sweetness makes them a great addition.
6. Whip Up a Pear Crumble
A classic dessert that’s perfect for using up aging pears. Top chopped pears with an oat crumble mixture. Bake until bubbly and golden. Serve with ice cream.
7. Craft a Smooth Pear Sorbet
For a cool, refreshing treat, puree peeled, chopped pears with simple syrup and lemon juice. Freeze, then blend again until creamy and smooth. No ice cream maker required!
8. Mix up Some Pancakes
Give pancakes a tropical twist by replacing some of the usual banana with diced ripe pears. The juice keeps pancakes tender. Top with more sliced pears.
9. Make a Spiced Pear Butter
Simmer peeled, cored pears with cider, brown sugar and fall spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg until thickened. Blend into a spreadable pear butter that’s delicious on toast.
10. Turn Them Into a Sauce
Cook down chopped pears with a bit of water, lemon juice and spices until saucy. Use in both sweet and savory dishes, like pork chops or oatmeal.
11. Craft Homemade Fruit Leather
Puree overly ripe pears, spread on a baking sheet, and dry out in a low oven or dehydrator. The resulting fruit leather makes a portable, nutritious snack kids love.
12. Infuse Some Vinegar
Chop up pears and add to vinegar along with complementary flavors like vanilla, cinnamon or ginger. Steep for a few weeks to infuse the vinegar with pear flavor.
13. Juice or Can Them
Extract the last bit of goodness by juicing soft pears or canning them. Enjoy the fresh flavor all year long.
14. Turn into Wine or Cider
Ferment chopped pears into wine, or press them into cider. A unique way to preserve pears using traditional methods.
15. Compost Them
Once pears have become extremely overripe, put them to use one last time by adding to a compost bin. They’ll break down into nutritious food for plants.
With a bit of creativity, those rapidly ripening pears sitting on your countertop don’t have to end up in the trash. Give them new life by repurposing them into sauces, smoothies, desserts, preserves and more. Follow proper storage tips to maximize their shelf life, and turn to these clever uses for pears that are past their prime. Your kitchen skills will get a workout, food waste will go down, and you’ll keep enjoying the delightful pear flavor.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2019__01__J3A9821-1cfdaa1993f54b7288c75cd6be8e1cc8.jpg)
How to SLOW DOWN the ripening process
- Pears will ripen more slowly if you keep them away from other fruits that give off ethylene, a gas that makes fruit ripen. The fruit that gives off the most ethylene is apple, pear, and banana, so don’t store them all together. That is unless you want them to ripen quicker.
- Once the pears are at the right level of ripeness, put them in the fridge. Take a pear out 30 minutes before you want to eat it to warm up. If you like your fruit at room temperature, like I do,
- Once the pears are cut, drizzle some lemon juice over the slices to keep them from oxidizing and turning brown.
How to SPEED UP the ripening process
- If you try this pear sorbet, you might not want to wait for your pears to get ripe again. Also, pears that are already too ripe work best in this recipe. Pears will ripen faster if you put them next to an apple or banana.
- You could also put them in a brown paper bag with a banana or apple.
- When it’s around 70°, I find that fruit ripens best in my house. The fruit doesn’t ripen at all if it’s too cold, but it does ripen sometimes if it’s too warm.
Ripening picked pears. Here is how we do it
FAQ
What can you do with rotten pears?
Can pears be frozen for later use?
When should I not eat a pear?
Are overripe pears safe to eat?