hard pears from the tree

[Anonymous]

I picked some pears from a friend's pear tree, chilled them for 2 weeks (as I understand that's what you're supposed to do with ones from a tree) and have had them on the counter for a few days and they don't seem to be softening up.

Any thoughts on whether a) I should re-chill them or b) they can be used for recipes etc in their current form?

thanks!

[Anonymous]

I leave hard pears out to soften - I never chill them unless I want them to stop ripening.