Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a shallow 1- to 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Core pears and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices to yield 2 1/2 cups. Toast walnuts and chop coarsely.

Combine fruit, juice, water, zest and sugar; gently toss to combine.

Combine nuts, crumbs and butter. Scatter about 1/2 cup of the mixture in the baking dish. Top with a third of the pear mixture. Dot top with lima bean-size pieces of cheese (use half of the cheese). Top with another layer of crumbs, then continue layering, ending with a fruit layer topped with remaining crumbs. Press mixture down gently but firmly.

Cover and bake for 30 minutes.

Uncover and bake for 15 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.