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Fragrant chunks of crisp, Bartlett pear are tossed with sweet red onion, fiery bits of serrano chile, fresh mint and verdant cilantro. This beautiful bowl of purple and green is then dressed in a simple mix of olive oil and lime juice. Fresh, bright and SO yum, this recipe makes a lot of salsa, so make sure you have friends or family around to help you finish it. I love to serve this up with some tortilla strips, but you could also spoon atop a seared piece of fish or mix in with steamed rice.
We’re all familiar with tropical fruit salsas like pineapple and mango, but really, you can use any type of fruit. I’m getting a little giddy just thinking of the possibilities! Apple and thyme salsa? White peach and tarragon? Berries and sage? So many options! What’s your favorite type of fruit salsa? Continue reading for the recipe and share your thoughts below!
Firm underripe pears are the star attraction of this recipe. An underripe pear is crisp and more acidic than its ripe counterpart.
I’ll have to admit that I probably could have chopped the pears into smaller bits. This salsa was certainly tasty, but a little tricky to eat. Go for a smaller dice similar to the red onion.
Pear Salsa
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, plus more to taste
- Sugar
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 underripe pears, chopped (see note above)
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 1 serrano chile, seeded and minced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped mint
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine olive oil, lime juice and pinch of sugar, whisking to combine. Season well with kosher salt and black pepper. Set aside.
- Combine pears, red onion, serrano chile, cilantro and mint in a large bowl. Dress with olive oil-lime mixture. You may not use all of the dressing. You want to contents of the bowl to be just well coated. Season to taste with additional kosher salt, black pepper and lime juice. Save extra dressing for another use.
Related articles and recipes:
Orange Chicken Skillet with Winter Fruit Salsa
Crab Cake Sliders with Pineapple Kiwi Salsa
Roasted Squash with Apple Salsa
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I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!
Jorge says
Can’t wait to try this! I am imagining the underripe pear to be like a sweet cucumber. And apple and thyme? Count me in for that one!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Jorge 🙂 It actually tastes more like an apple!
Sue/the view from great island says
I have to say I’ve never met a salsa I didn’t love. Your idea of using under ripe pears is brilliant, my mouth is watering just thinking about them. I just finished making a pineapple salsa for some mahi mahi for dinner tonight, and it has similar flavors to yours.
Brandon Matzek says
Yum!! That sounds delicious 🙂
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love under-ripe pears. I actually eat them like apples sometimes. Some people think they taste fibrous and woody but I love the texture. I bet this salsa is crazy good! BTW random aside but if you see persimmon any where around, LMK! I have been to like 10 groc stores for a month, and nothing. I know the season is not at it’s peak but just a random thing if you see any, tell me. I will buy them all!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Averie! Yeah, the texture works well with this salsa. Don’t laugh… but have you tried Costco? They usually carry flats of fuyus this time of year. I haven’t been over there in a couple of weeks, so I’m not sure if they still have them. Maybe try calling first?
Lori Lynn says
Hi Averie – you can most likely find persimmon at any Korean market. Good luck.
LL
Lori Lynn says
Hi Brandon – sounds lovely, I think I would like it over pan-seared sole.
I made some salsa with persimmon earlier in the month. Can’t go wrong with delicious fresh fruit. Pears make a perfect winter salsa…
LL
Brandon Matzek says
I saw that salsa! Looked delicious 🙂
ashley - baker by nature says
This is SO pretty! And I’m sure equally as delicious as it looks!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
I’ve got a bowl of ripe pears on the counter-guess where they are going…
The Squishy Monster says
I love spicy black bean/corn salsa and can’t say I’ve ever tasted anything quite like this, I’m VERY intrigued =)
Brandon Matzek says
Mmm I love a good corn salsa. Especially the one at Chipotle!
Shea @ Dixie Chik Cooks says
Love the pear in this! I’ve done pomegranate and peach salsas before, but haven’t thought about pear – looks great.