How do you freeze fresh pears?

1. Prepare the pears. Wash the pears and remove any bruises or blemishes. Peel and core the pears, then cut them into slices or chunks.

2. Pretreat the pears. To prevent the pears from turning brown, you can pretreat them with a solution of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon ascorbic acid in 1 cup of water. Soak the pear slices in the solution for 5 minutes, then drain them thoroughly.

3. Freeze the pears. Spread the pear slices or chunks on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer. Freeze until solid, then transfer the pears to a freezer-safe container. Label the container with the date and contents.

4. Tips for freezing pears:

* To save space, you can freeze the pear slices or chunks in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe container.

* To prevent freezer burn, make sure the freezer-safe container is airtight.

* Frozen pears will last for up to 12 months in the freezer.

When you are ready to use the frozen pears, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for several hours. You can also cook the pears while they are still frozen.