We have two Heirloom Pear Trees planted on our Farm, New O’Hana Farm, TN. The story goes, and told by my mom…someone from another country made their home here in Tennessee. Before they left, they made sure to save their Pear Seeds. They could replant them, having not only Fresh Pears, but, a reminder of a part of their life back home.
The Pears are ripe and hitting the ground with force. Do not stand under them! Yesterday, the weather was cooler, so I headed out with a bucket of water, a knife, and a cutting board. Gloves on, I picked Pears from the ground. I wore the gloves because Red Wasps love them. Using the knife, I took off the bruised parts.
My mom looked all through her Recipes. Unable to find the one she made when I was a little girl, she found this one: http://thespruceeats.com/countryside-pear-jam-recipe It was wonderful, and filled our home with a Holiday Scent!
This one in the photo below is not the Recipe she was hoping to find as it does not call for Heirloom Pears, and adds in pineapple and cherries. The search is still on. But, a trip to the store will be a definite to purchase Pectin because it will be required to make her recipe!
Her old Recipe Books are so delicate. The pages feel like they could crumble at any moment. I have seen people on tv pick up an old book, gently cradling the spine, almost fearful to turn the pages. That’s how I felt this morning when I retrieved Tried Recipes for the Bride. The book belonged to her mother and was published in 1923-1924. I know if my mom loves a dessert or meal, she writes it out and tucks it in one of her special books. The first book I chose, I found these folded pages-Paradise Jam. The hunt is on for her other Pear Recipe. A large stack of old books sit on the kitchen counter for her to look through.
Those old trees out on our farm have plenty of Pears, and my mouth is watering for Pear Muffins, Pies, Cakes, and Sauce! Must go and look through these recipe books. Farm Life is Amazing! Happy Autumn :)Jen
P.S. We served the Pear Jam warm, in one of my Great Grandma’s dishes, with mom’s Homemade Bread, and Ritz Crackers. Our daughters have put in their request for their own “Pear Jam, Please”, to take home!
