Pear season is here, and it's the perfect time to fill your pantry with a few homemade favorites.

Choose pears that are ripe but still firm. They should smell sweet, give slightly near the stem, and have no soft spots, mold, or damaged areas. Bartlett, Bosc, and Anjou pears all work well for preserving. Very soft pears can turn sticky or lose their shape, so use those first for baking or sauces.

Here are seven pear recipes to try this season:

1. ​Cinnamon Pear Jam​
   Sweet pear flavor with warm cinnamon. This is lovely on toast, biscuits, or a cheese board.
2. ​Summer Salsa​
   A bright way to use pears in a savory preserve while the weather is still warm.
3. ​Apple Pear Cranberry Pie Filling​
   Keep this one ready for pies, crisps, and other cozy fall desserts.
4. ​Maple Bourbon Pear Butter​
   Smooth, rich, and full of pear flavor, with maple syrup and bourbon for extra warmth.
5. ​Low-Sugar Honey Pear Jam​
   A tested-style recipe with gentle honey sweetness and a classic pear flavor.
6. ​Pear Jelly​
   Clear, delicate, and delicious on toast, biscuits, or served with sharp cheese.
7. ​Dehydrated Pears​
   A simple way to turn fresh pears into chewy snacks for trail mix, oatmeal, yogurt, and baking.

If you're dehydrating pears, slice them evenly so they dry at the same rate. After drying, let the slices cool completely, then condition them in jars for seven days. Shake the jars each day and watch for moisture or clumping before moving the pears into airtight storage.

Pick up a basket of firm, fragrant pears and choose one recipe to start. A little preserving now means pear season can stay in your pantry long after the trees are bare.

Happy Preserving!