Tuesday, July 29, 2014

C for Chinese Pears

ABC Wednesday
July 30th, 2014
The letter is C and it stands here for Chinese (Asian) Pears.

The Chinese Asian Pear is called the Shinto Pear, and it is delicious!


Asian pears are super crunchy, more like crisp apples than other pears, 
and they look more like apples, too.

There are many varieties of Asian pears -  the ones post commonly available in North America
are a very matte, tan color with a bit more texture and roughness to the skin than other apples or pears.

They are great for eating raw, especially when sliced or diced and added to salads.  
They have more of a crisp-apple texture than the soft grainy pear.
They are heavy for their size and have no give when you squeeze them -
they are supposed to be crisp!

I am lucky in that at least once a year I get to have one or two
Chinese pears grown by a generous friend of #3 son
and I enjoy them raw, sliced with cheese and a crisp biscuit.

However, if you should happen to have a glut of them and are looking
for a recipe ...........!

This is a sweet and savoury dish, popular in south-west China.

Lay about 1 1/2 pounds of ham, cut into thin slices, in a steamproof dish.  
Sprinkle with a quarter cup of brown sugar and steam for 25 minutes,
adding more water as needed.

When the ham is nearly finished cooking combine a quarter cup of light soy sauce
with two tablespoons of water and two tablespoons of honey
in a small saucepan and bring to a boil, - keep warm.

Add two Chinese pears, cut into four pieces. 
Brush the pears and ham slices with some of the sauce and steam for five more minutes.

Pour the remainder of the sauce over and garnish with two green onions,
cut into thirds, - or however your heart desires
if you want to be creative.....

I was amazed at how many different varieties of Asian Pears there are.
The best known is probably the Nijisseiki which ripens in mid September
and is also known as 20th Century.

But in the order of ripening there is the Ichiban Nashi, the Kosui, Shinseiki, Mishirasu, 
Chojuro, Shinseiho, the Kikusui, Shinko (as pictured below) the very large Nitaka,
a round shaped Chinese pear called Seuri and the Korean Giant,
very large, attractive orange-brown russet, sweet and juicy
with a long storage life.

All this wonderful information about Asian pears that produce well west of the Cascades
 came from ' wm@hartmannursery.com '  (email address, of course)


For more things you never knew before that start with C visit
here at ABC Wednesday, with thanks to Denise, Roger
and all helpers, - and don't forget to visit around!

17 comments:

Anita Sabat said...

I love Pears & have tasted quite a number of varieties here in India.
I have tasted Chinese Pears too :)

Leslie: said...

They sound delicious and I'd love to try some.

Leslie
abcw team

The Weaver of Grass said...

These look delicious Hildred, I had never heard of them let alone tasted one.

ellen b. said...

Great information about this variety of pear. I've only tasted the more common varieties.

Reader Wil said...

Thank you for telling about this fruit! I had never heard of it before. It looks so attractivez.0

Unknown said...

I have enjoyed Pears more as a grownup than as a child. Growing up in India I had the least liking for this fruit...But as we relocated to the States, I have a new liking for this fruit. We get this Chinese variety too in some markets....very juicy fruit indeed....thanks for the insight.

Roger Owen Green said...

I'd like to try one. I do like Bartlett pears.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Lmkazmierczak said...

I would probably like those kinds of pears♪ http://lauriekazmierczak.com/cone-flowers/

Susan Moore said...

Crisp and tasty fruit - delicious with cheese! I wasn't aware there are so many varieties - which reminds me I should visit the Asian grocery store as they will likely have a better selection. I think they would be a nice addition to salsa recipes.

betty-NZ said...

Sounds really good! I discovered Nashi pears when I moved to New Zealand and I love them!

Uppal said...

We in India love these pears too. They are juicy and sweet!

Hazel said...

Now the song keeps playing in my ear - "... in a pear tree..." :-) I very seldom get to ear Chinese pear.

lotusleaf said...

They look delicious!

Trubes said...

I like the look and sound of Chinese pears, never tasted them though. The recipe with the Ham sounds delicious.
I too must pay a visit to an Asian store in town to see if I can purchase some.

Best wishes di..x

K V V S MURTHY said...

Nice post for the letter C.

fredamans said...

MMMM I love pears!

Rajesh said...

The fruit sounds must have.