In Season: Pears

Pears photo by torbakhopper via Flickr/Creative Commons

Stepping into a big box grocery store, it’s easy to think that all produce grows all year round—but that’s hardly the case. In this series, we’ll highlight one in-season produce pick a week.

Pears

Nutrition: Pears are a good way to meet daily fiber and vitamin C needs.

Why that’s important: Vitamin C contributes to immune health, disease prevention, and tissue formation, while fiber helps you feel full, regulates blood sugar, and keeps bowels healthy.

Where to find them: Virtually any farmers’ market in the state, at least until the growing season ends.

Five pear recipes:

1. Cinnamon Baked Pears
via Hurry the Food Up

Getting in the fall spirit? Try this simple baked pears recipe as a breakfast option or a healthy dessert, and savor the autumnal flavors of cinnamon, pear, and walnut.

2. Pear, Pomegranate, and Spinach Salad
via Cooking Classy

This salad makes a fresh, light lunch or dinner. And while the recipe is vegetarian as-written, adding chicken or another lean protein would make it a more filling meal.

3. Pear Ginger Cinnamon Oat Smoothie
via Mom On Timeout

Try this recipe for a smoothie that will actually hold you over until lunch. Pear and spices lend the mix great flavor, while oats, milk, and yogurt add some much-needed substance.

4. Pear & Blue Cheese Roasted Brussels Sprouts
via The Cookie Rookie

Brussels sprouts are having a moment right now, and this unique pairing will keep the trendy vegetable interesting. Not a fan of blue cheese? Try subbing in brie, a classic complement to pear.

5. Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Shallots, Poached Pears, and Blue Cheese
via The Every Girl

This recipe—featuring thin cuts of pork rolled around pears, rosemary, shallots, and blue cheese—may look fancy, but it’s ready in less than an hour. Even the sauce is made using only the drippings from the pork and chicken broth.