While it may look like an apple and crunch like an apple, this delicious summer fruit is actually a pear! While your traditional pear offers a bell-like shape and sweet, floral taste, Asian pears have a rounder shape with a milder, refreshing flavor. You can find Asian pears from
Lee’s One Fortune Farm (
Asheville City,
Black Mountain,
East Asheville,
River Arts District, and
West Asheville markets), Bright Branch Farm (East Asheville Tailgate Market), Tucker’s Garden (West Asheville Tailgate Market), and
McConnell Farms (
North Asheville Tailgate Market).
Obviously the easiest way to enjoy asian pears is by slicing them up and enjoying the fruit by itself. But the next best thing is with this super-simple Asian pear flatbread recipe! Start by placing a pre-baked flatbread or pizza crust onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, brushing the top with olive oil, then baking for five minutes at 400 degrees to crisp the crust. Remove flatbread from the oven, then dollop six ounces of brie onto the crust evenly. On top of the cheese, evenly spread one thinly sliced shallot, two teaspoons of fine chopped fresh rosemary, two tablespoons of honey, two cored and sliced asian pears, two ounces of prosciutto (or leave out for a vegetarian dish), and top with a quarter cup of chopped and roasted walnuts and some ground pepper. Bake for another 10 to 12 minutes, until the pears have softened, the cheese melts and the crust is golden brown. Garnish with a few fresh rosemary sprigs and some additional honey, and enjoy!
This Asian pear slaw is the perfect side dish to balance a spicier main course, and is an absolute breeze to prepare! Julienne two stalks of celery, two asian pears, and finely chop a quarter cup of fresh cilantro and two green onions, then mix ingredients together in a large bowl. For the dressing, whisk together half an inch of peeled and grated ginger, two tablespoons of lime juice, and two tablespoons of rice vinegar. Toss ingredients together with the dressing and let stand for a few minutes before serving.
This Korean steamed pear dessert, also known as
baesuk, is a delicious (and healthy) way to play into the subtle sweetness of Asian pears! Start by rinsing a large Asian pear, then make a lid by slicing one inch off the top. Scoop out the core and seeds with a spoon. Fill up the center with two tablespoons of honey, one teaspoon of grated ginger, half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, one tablespoon of pine nuts or walnuts, and two dates (pits removed). Put the sliced lid pack on the pear, place in a small bowl, then steam the pear for about an hour over medium high heat. Drink the juices left in the bowl for a natural remedy to sore throats (or just a delicious warm cider), and enjoy the cooked pear and filling for a yummy dessert!
At farmers markets now you’ll also find melons, corn, apples, blackberries, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, cucumbers, squash, potatoes, cucumbers, carrots, beets, radishes, mushrooms, and greens like lettuce, kale, and bok choy. Markets are also stocked with a variety of plants, meats, cheese, rice, pasta, bread, pastries, drinks, and prepared foods. Find more details about farms and markets throughout the region in ASAP’s online
Local Food Guide.
