Just received some pears from "Harry & David". How do you tell when they're ripe and ready to eat?

We received a box yesterday as a gift for Christmas and the bottom of a couple pears are black:(

Yes, you are lucky. We used to receive a box every winter and I can tell you they are delicious. Once they have ripened do put them in the fridge at that point - they can get overripe quickly too.

Lucky you! When they're ripe, they'll smell really fragrant, and when you press one gently with the pad of your finger, the flesh should give a little. Should only take a couple of days at room temp to ripen.