While many would agree that pear should be celebrated all year long, there is one particular month when we have all the reasons to celebrate this fruit – December! That’s right! December is National Pear Month!

What to cook this National Pear Month?

Pears have more than 3,000 varieties grown around the world. Many people love it because it can be a versatile ingredient to any recipe. It also offers a plethora of nutritional benefits .

So, what are you waiting for? Get into the pear spirit with the following recipe ideas for National Pear Month!

Pear and Bacon Grilled Cheese

It’s time to add a twist to your ordinary grilled cheese by adding pear and bacon to your ingredients. The other things you need include the following:

• ¼ small pear, thinly sliced
• 2 slices cooked bacon
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 slices cheddar
• 2 slices white sandwich bread
• 2 tablespoons fig jam or currant

All you have to do is to melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Spread the jam on one piece of bread and make a sandwich with the pear, bacon and cheese. Toast the bread per side on the pan for about 2 to 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Prosciutto-wrapped Pork with Sweet Potatoes and Pears

If you’re looking for a new recipe for Christmas dinner, this Prosciutto-wrapped pork with sweet potatoes and pears will be perfect! The following are the ingredients.

•  2 pears, preferably Bartlett and cut into wedges
• 2 sweet potatoes
• 8 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 piece pork tenderloin
• Black pepper and kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ¼ pound prosciutto, thinly sliced

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a large rimmed baking sheet with olive oil and toss the pears, sweet potatoes, thyme, salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Roast them for 15 minutes. While waiting, you can go ahead and wrap the pork in the prosciutto. Make sure the pork is covered completely by having the slices overlap each other. On the baking sheet, place the pork in the middle with the vegetables surrounding the edges. Top the pork with just the right amount of honey. Roast for about 20 to 25 minutes. Wait for about 5 minutes before slicing the pork and serve with the pears and sweet potatoes.

Peanut Noodles with Chicken and Pears

Now this next recipe is perfect for all the pasta lovers out there! If you think the holiday season won’t be complete without a delicious pasta dish, then you have to try this one out! Here are the ingredients:

• 1 pound spaghetti
• 1 pear, boiled and thinly sliced
• ¼ cup vinegar
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 to 2 ½ pound rotisserie chicken, meat shredded
• 1/3 cup roughly chopped roasted peanuts
• 5 trimmed and thinly sliced scallions
• 2 small red Serrano chilies

First, cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. Then, mix the vinegar, peanut butter, oil, salt and 1 cup water together in a large bowl. This mixture is going to be the dressing of your pasta. Toss it with the pasta and top with pear, chicken, chilis, scallions and peanuts. Serve with your favorite bread or wine!

These recipes are just some of the many holiday recipes you can cook with pear. You can follow these pear recipe ideas or create your own. The possibilities are endless with our favorite fruit!