Pears are so distinct that the only word we have to describe their shape is "pyriform," which means, literally, "pear-shaped"! They've been cultivated for millennia -- there were pear tree groves in China 3000 years ago -- and there are thousands of varieties, many of them decorative or inedible. In the US, you'll find about 10 common varieties, among them Comice, Anjou, Bartlett, Seckel, and Bosc.

A colorful meal this is not. But what it lacks in hue, it delivers in complexity and comfort.

Just because it's a weeknight doen't mean you can't play around a bit in the kitchen.

Every week our friends at Real Time Farms feature the top photos of farms, food artisans, and farmers markets shared on their site.

Pear season has begun! A vendor at the Mission Bay Farmers' Market in San Francisco, California shows off an enticing pile of Bartlett pears. Click here to see more, and then add a photo of your own - you might be featured here next week!