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These sweet, tangy, spiced pickled pears are a cinch to make and are the condiment you didn’t know you’ve been missing!
I’m forever putting together big cheese boards when entertaining that are piled high with not only cheese, but pickled veggies, honey and even pickled pears. Often they’re considered appetizers, but I could nibble from one for dinner and be perfectly content.
Reading: how to make pear pickles
I load up my boards with cheeses; hard and soft, stinky, and mild. I always include bread, nuts, berries or grapes, and fruit spreads.
But perhaps one of my favorite additions to those big cheese boards are is a little unexpected…quick pickled pears.
Read more: Recipe: Naturally Fermented Garlic Dill Pickles | Family Cuisine
Pickled pears have a sweet and tangy flavor thanks to a pickling solution of cider vinegar, and sugar. Simmered in the pickling liquid are some whole autumn spices…a cinnamon stick, whole black peppercorns, and whole cloves.
You can mix it up with star anise, pink peppercorns, cardamom pods or allspice, depending on what you have in your pantry and which flavors are your favorite.
But don’t stop at cheese when it comes to pickled pears. Think out of the box!
Pickled pears would be delicious served…
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…atop roasted fish or chicken,
…spooned over lamb tacos,
…sprinkled into your morning yogurt or oatmeal,
…tossed into salads with toasted nuts and dried cranberries.
And did I mention how easy these pickled pears are to make? Just 10 mins (+ hands off pickling time) and you can be on your way to transforming your next fall spread. Peter Piper has nothing on us….now get to pickling!
Read more: 5 Secrets for Crunchy Pickles | Family Cuisine
Let’s make Quick Pickled Pears
- Combine the sugar, salt and spices in a medium saucepan.
- Whisk in the water and cider vinegar.
- Bring to a simmer and whisk until sugar is dissolved.
- Pour over the chopped pears, cool, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Tips for success
- A firm and even under-ripe pear works best for this recipe to maintain shape and texture.
- Feel free to mix up your spices, but be sure to use whole ones. Smashed cardamom pods, pink peppercorns, and star anise, for example, would all make excellent substitutions or additions.
- If you’re someone that cans their preserves or condiments, these pickled pears would be an excellent canning candidate!
- Serve these on a cheeseboard; on tacos; over fish, meat or chicken; tossed in a salad; over yogurt or oatmeal.
More Homemade Condiments
- Tomato Jam
- Roasted Tomatillo Salsa
- Fig Spread
- Homemade Ketchup
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