Spiced Pear and Walnut Sourdough

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. 2. In a separate bowl, mix the active sourdough starter with the room temperature water until well combined. 3. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. 4. Fold in the diced pears and chopped walnuts, and if you prefer a sweeter bread, add the tablespoon of sugar at this point. 5. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 30 minutes to 1 hour for the autolyse process. 6. After resting, knead the dough, either by hand or using a stand mixer, for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic. 7. Transfer the dough back into the bowl, cover, and let it rise at room temperature for 4-6 hours, or until doubled in size. 8. Once risen, gently shape the dough on a lightly floured surface and form it into a round loaf. 9. Place the shaped loaf onto a floured proofing basket or bowl and let it rise for another 2-3 hours. 10. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and place a Dutch oven inside to preheat as well. 11. Once the oven is ready, carefully transfer the loaf into the preheated Dutch oven, cover it, and bake for 30 minutes. 12. After 30 minutes, remove the lid and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the bread is golden brown. 13. Remove the bread from the Dutch oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing.