Pears taste great in a variety of dishes, from desserts to salads, but no one likes having to spit out the seeds while enjoying them. Therefore, this tutorial will show you some simple ways to remove the core or center of a pear that contains seeds, whether you want to split or chop them first or leave them whole to make poached or poached pears.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Removing the Middle of the Halved Pear
Step 1. Cut the pear in half vertically or lengthwise
Place the pears perpendicular to the cutting board. Cut in the center near the stem from end to end in one smooth motion, which will split the pear in half.
Step 2. Remove the middle
Scoop out the core from the center of the pear using a cocktail/fruit soup spoon or a teaspoon-sized measuring spoon. The utensil you choose will depend on the hardness of the pear – a fruit cocktail spoon is better for tough pears, while a measuring spoon is better for softer pears.
Step 3. Remove the stem
Remove the stem by making a "V" shaped cut around the edge of the stem using a knife, as shown in the image.
Step 4. Peel the pears
Remove the pear skin using a small, sharp knife or a vegetable peeler. Now you can use pears for any recipe you want or eat them straight away.
- You can also not peel the pears first, because the skin of the pear is edible and very good for health, but it may ruin the texture of the dish you are about to make.
- If you prefer, you can also peel the pears before you remove the center.
Part 2 of 3: Removing the Whole Middle of the Pear
Step 1. Peel the pear
The first thing to do is peel the pears using a small, sharp knife or a vegetable peeler.
- If you want perfectly even and smooth peeled pears for making poached pears, it's best to use a vegetable peeler.
- Once peeled, inspect the pear's surroundings again and remove any rough, uneven parts with a vegetable peeler.
Step 2. Remove the center of the pear
Starting at the bottom of the pear, use a fruit cocktail spoon or teaspoon measuring spoon to scoop out the bottom of the center of the pear, followed by the center. The pear will look whole when standing upright, but have a hole in the bottom where the center has been removed.
- Alternatively, you can also use a corer, which is a special tool designed to remove the center of the fruit. Simply place the tip (which is a hollow metal tube) over the stem of the pear and then press down, forcing it down through the center of the pear. Twist once or twice, then pull it out. You will now have a perfect seedless pear.
- If the pears become a little wobbly after they have been cut in the middle, you can trim the bottoms flat so that the pears stand up straight.
Step 3. Prevent pears from browning
If you're not using the seeded pears yet, first place the pears in a bowl filled with cold water and a few slices of lemon. This will prevent it from oxidizing which could turn it brown.
Part 3 of 3: Recipe for Pears
Step 1. Make poached pears or boiled pears
Boiled pears make a delicious dessert, and your skill at removing the center will come in handy. In this simple recipe, pears will be simmered in vanilla and sugar syrup.
Step 2. Make pear stew in wine
This spicy and hearty version of poached pear makes an elegant dessert and is perfect for a dinner party.
Step 3. Make the pear pie
For an interesting variation of the traditional apple pie - try this delicious version of the pear pie. Perfectly served with vanilla ice cream.
Step 4. Make the caramelized pears
These roasted pears make for a delicious snack to enjoy after dinner. Served with whipped cream and toasted pecans - what's not to love about this dish?
Step 5. Make a pear and cinnamon preserve
If you've had a pear harvest or you have too many pears that you don't know what to do with, try these cinnamon pear preserves. Equally delicious to add to your breakfast cereal or to dessert with ice cream.
Step 6. Make an Asian-style pear salad
This delicious yet low-fat salad is all about bold flavors and contrasting textures, which make it the perfect choice for lunch.
Tips
- Metal fruit cocktail spoons are best for this method, as plastic ones can break easily if you press too hard or the pears too hard.
- Pears will ripen when left at room temperature, so it's best to buy pears that are still firm.
What you need
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Fruit cocktail spoon or measuring spoon
- Corer (a special tool to remove the center of the fruit)
