Delivered Fresh To You This Month Compliments of Mother Nature and The Fresh Fruit ClubTM
Sun Gold Asian Pears —
SUN GOLD ASIAN PEARS — Sometimes called “apple pears” because of their round shape and crunchy apple-like texture, Asian pears are more closely related to pears. Asian pear tree species are native to Southeast Asia. In the United States, these pears are available from July to late October, grown in California, Washington and Oregon.
A good-quality Asian pear is selected by smell rather than variations in firmness. Unlike other pears that yield to gentle pressure when ripe, Asian pears are ripe even when they are extremely firm. Although delicious on their own, the light sweetness and crispy texture of the Asian pear makes it a unique addition to any salad or stir fry.
Ripening: Handle with care, especially when fully ripe. Ripen in a cool, dark place. Pears may be refrigerated for a few days.
Asian Pear Crisp Makes 6 servings
3 Asian pears, cored and chopped
2 T. brown sugar
2 T. finely chopped pecans
2 T. flour
1 t. cinnamon
2 T. water
Preheat oven to 350°. Combine the pears, sugar, flour, cinnamon and pecans in a bowl. Mix until everything is evenly distributed. Transfer the pears to a greased 9-inch round or an 8×8 casserole dish. Pour the water over the pears to keep the mixture moisturized.
1-1/2 c. oats
2/3 c. flour
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/4 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 c. melted butter
2 T. pure maple syrup
2 T. finely chopped pecans
In a bowl, combine the ingredients at the left to make the crisp. Mix very well, until all ingredients are incorporated. Carefully spread the crisp evenly over the pears. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Serve warm – maybe with ice cream?
Seedless Grapes —
SEEDLESS GRAPES — Did you know grapes are considered berries? Or that there is an average of one hundred berries per bunch of seedless grapes? Another interesting fact is that there are grapes of many colors, including white, red, purple, green, yellow and black. What nearly all grapes have in common is that their skin is smooth and semi-translucent, with tender flesh. The grapes in this month’s selection from your favorite Fruit of the Month Club are sweetly tart, with the tannins leaving a slight layer of flavor on your tongue.
Carbohydrates are an important part of a healthy diet, and that includes grapes! It’s important that the majority of the carbs we ingest come from healthy sources that provide not only carbohydrates, but fiber, essential vitamins and minerals as well. Grapes fit the bill as a healthy carb. A one-cup serving contains 27 grams of healthy carbs and 1.4 grams of fiber. The flavor is off the charts!
Seedless grapes can be eaten on their own either fresh or frozen. Add to fruit salads for texture, color and for a burst of juicy flavor. They make spectacular hors d’oeurves and pair well with cheese.
Sweet Frozen Grapes This kid-friendly recipe is perfect for introducing your family’s future chefs to KP duty!
STEP 1: Everybody should wash their hands.
STEP 2: Gently wash 1/2 cup of grapes and carefully shake excess water off them.
STEP 3: Put them in a plastic bag and add 1 T. white sugar.
STEP 4: Seal the bag and roll it around to coat all the grapes.
STEP 5: Unseal the bag to release some of the air. Reseal. Stick the bag in the freezer for at least one hour, or until the grapes are frozen. (Frozen grapes will keep for a very long time in the freezer, if not eaten!)
STEP 6: Eat the entire batch, and make another right away!
(Note: You may want to use more or less sugar, depending on the sweetness of the grapes. Your little chef may want to add a drop of food coloring to the sugar for a different look.)
