PEARS ARE AT their peak throughout the fall, and this elegant dessert is a wonderful way to highlight their distinctive yet delicate flavor. Fall is by far my favorite time of year to entertain, with the bountiful variety of produce still available at local farmers’ markets. I absolutely love Warren pears—so juicy, with a perfectly balanced sweetness. If you can’t find them, the Bosc variety also works well in this recipe. This dish is ideal for serving at dinner parties, as the homemade amaretti will keep well for up to a week in the freezer and the roasted pears and crème fraîche may be prepared well ahead. Simply rewarm the pears in a microwave right before plating and topping with the crème fraîche and amaretti. If you’re short on time, it is fine to substitute good-quality store-bought amaretto cookies (I prefer the Lazzaroni brand), but I hope you’ll give the homemade version a try—I think you’ll be delighted by how simple they are to make, and how excellent the results. FOR THE AMARETTO COOKIES Yield: 24 (2-inch-diameter) cookies