Seckel pears are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as baking, simmering, and poaching. Known as a dessert pear, Seckel pears lend a very sweet flavor to any application and are commonly consumed fresh, out-of-hand. Seckel pears are excellent for pickling and spicing as the small pears can be canned whole or halved. They also make a great snack for children fitting nicely into lunch packs, sliced and dipped in Greek yogurt, cinnamon, and honey, served with pancakes and waffles, layered in quesadillas or sandwiches, or chopped into salsas, relishes, and chutneys. Seckel pears can be used in baked goods like pies, tartlets, and muffins, dipped in caramel and chocolate as a dessert, poached with vanilla bean and cinnamon, or juiced and sliced to serve in cocktails such as mojitos. Seckel pears compliment Dijon mustard, cucumbers, carrots, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, pomegranate seeds, figs, orange juice and zest, parsley, endive, watercress, ginger, garlic, quinoa, pistachios, walnuts, almond butter, shrimp, meats such as prosciutto, smoked ham, chicken, and pork, goat cheese, manchego cheese, and chocolate. Seckel pears ripen from the inside-out, so the center softens first. To check for ripeness, press the fruit at the base of the stem. They will keep 2-7 days when stored in the refrigerator and only a couple days at room temperature.