A PEAR OF GREAT FLAVOURS

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Once again, I find myself in the heart of Toronto, Chinawown/Kensington Market.  Looking for fresh, delicious fruit in the dead of winter is quite difficult, but my asian friends at K&K Specialty Supermarket Have it covered!!  Behold the Thai Rose Apple!

The ladies could not resist but tell me the striking taste resemblance to that of a Pear, which is what I went in for to begin with. Am I ever glad they recommended this wonderful fruit.  As exotic, and rare  as they come, Rose Apples are non-climacteric fruit that are best eaten picked from the tree, crisp and juicy!

                                               Here is a small relevant breakdown of the fruit:

   Origin: Asian/ Malay/ Thai

Sister Fruit - Water Pear

Relative Botanical Plant - Guava, Eucalyptus

Size - 1-2 inches wide/ 3-4 inches high

Cost : 8$ per lb

Considering the hefty weight of just one Rose Apple, I imagined it would have a high water content, similar to the ratio that a watermelon would have.  Conventional applications of the fruit are salads, Sautés and medicinally extracted to treat several ailments in asian countries.  The anticipation grew as I made my way home to try our this awesome new discovery!!

Visually stunning, the Rose Apple has a pear like shape with an interesting base.  The fruit folds into itself to make a rose like appearance.  Red, smooth, shiny...like a red rose!!  Time to cut in!  As I slice the fruit, I notice a distinct texture and crispness, the skin seems thick but peels away quite easily.  The flesh is almost transparent, filled with juice/water.  My senses smell something similar to a fresh plant growing, and similar to the smell of a watermelon peel.  To my surprise it tasted nothing like an apple, or pear!!..I tasted watermelon all the way!!  A bit bland perhaps because of the freshness and importing factors, and I imagine if this was fully matured on the vine...it would be hinted with rose flavours.  I get the slightest floral taste on my pallet, and it is quite refreshing....possibly the juiciest fruit I have ever tasted for its size!

Now for the interesting part...what to do with it!! ? .....I go back to my watermelon flavour and texture, and can't help but suggest...FUSION!!

A gorgeous sliced Rose Apple...on a bed of fresh Arugula...some Prosciutto di Parma spirals, crostini...and of course a few slivers of Grana Padano!!  Balsamic to Glaze if possible otherwise reduce the vinegar and make your own...you will thank me you did!! ;)

My learning here at GBC never ends....Once again chef hats off to chef Jason Inniss for developing this wonderful blogging trend...my lesson for this one...what looks like a pear, is called an apple, and resembles a flower...not necessarily does the name always match the flavour!!

Salute!!