Sweet and juicy with creamy, smooth flesh, pears make just about any dish shine. Truly versatile, this fall favorite is as likely to show up in a salad or alongside a roast as it is baked in a pie or caramelized and drizzled with honey for a simple dessert. Get inspired to cook both sweet and savory with pears; we’ve even got a gingery perfect-for-fall cocktail featuring luscious, tart Bartlettes.

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Gorgonzola & Hazelnut Stuffed Pears

In this delicious mâche salad, the salty, buttery flavor of Gorgonzola dolce mingles with the sweet, juicy pears. Slices of pancetta, baked until crisp, add texture and another savory note.

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Pear Fritters with Lemon & Ginger

Pear, lemon, and ginger are a match made in heaven. These crisp-yet-tender fritters make an excellent dessert.

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Fall Ginger Smash

Gin mixes very well with pears because it helps open up the subtle aromas that these pome fruits are prized for. Green Bartlett pears are used here for their tartness and solid nature, but you can try whatever pear you can find in the peak of its season.

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Cauliflower with Brown Butter, Pears, Sage & Hazelnuts

The mellow pear plays well with all sorts of counterparts. Among the cauliflower, brown butter, earthy nuts and sage, the pears add a hint of sweetness to this easy side that works as well on a weeknight as it does for a holiday meal.

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Caramelized Pear Upside-Down Cakes with Cognac Whipped Cream

The firm, slightly grainy texture of Bosc pears is perfect for baking because it helps the pears keep their shape, an important factor for the finished appearance of this cake with its pretty fans of caramelized pear slices.

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Wild Rice with Pears, Sausage & Candied Pecans

Comice pears are one of the sweetest and most succulent varieties, with a rich buttery texture that pairs well here with the chewy wild rice and crunchy pecans.

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Sesame Steak Salad with Asian Pears

This fresh salad is a riff on bulgogi (Korean beef BBQ), in which Asian pears contribute a sweet note to the marinade.

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Sweet Wine & Honey Roasted Pears

 Dessert doesn’t get any easier than roasted pears which caramelize in the oven and become rich and flavorful with the addition of Muscat wine and a bit of honey drizzled over them.

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Wilted Arugula Salad with Sautéed Pork, Pears & Blue Cheese

Pears elevate any dish, even a simple dinner salad. This one is easy to prepare and the warming flavors are well suited to the season.

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Fresh Pear Pie with Dried Cherries & Brown Sugar Streusel

A hint of spice lets the delicate flavor of the pears shine through, while the dried cherries are a welcome alternative to traditional raisins.

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Pear, Cranberry & Blood Orange Mostarda

Serve this punchy northern Italian condiment with roast pork, turkey, or game birds, or spread it on crostini with Robiola or Camembert cheese.

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Veal Chops with Pears & Green Peppercorn Sauce

Classic green peppercorn sauce is treated to a double dose of fruitiness from fresh Forelle pears and a hit of pear brandy. Don’t be tempted to opt for boned veal chops: the bones help keep the meat moist and add flavor.

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Pear Ginger Cake with Whipped Cream & Rum-Caramel Glaze

A triple-decker stunner, this soft, tender cake has fresh pears and ginger folded into the batter along with a billowy whipped cream filling and frosting. All is topped with luscious rum-caramel glaze.

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