Asian Pear Salad
Apples are abundant in the state of Washington. We are fortunate and can have a sense of pride here because apples are such a nutritional powerhouse. They are so versatile too. You can enjoy apples a million different ways and they always hit the spot, don’t they? I love how many different kinds of apples there are. Today though, I want to mention a fruit that resembles an apple in flavor (the guts, not the skin) that is now grown in the United States and is just as nutritional. It’s called an Asian pear. Plantings on the west coast exist in Yakima and Wenatchee, Washington, and in Hood River and Willamette Valley in Oregon.
The kiddos I cook for on a regular basis have given the Asian pear a thumbs up. The main vitamins and minerals you will get from eating an Asian pear are vitamin C and fiber. One large Asian pear will contain an entire days worth of needed vitamin C. This vitamin is important for the growth and repair of our body’s tissues, healing our bumps and bruises and repairing and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Additionally, you will get vitamin K and copper. These two are important for blood and bone health. Lastly, there is a lot of potassium in Asian Pears. This is important because it helps build muscles and helps maintain normal body growth.
Asian pears have been cultivated for hundreds of years in Japan, Eastern Asia and Korea. We are auspicious to have them regionally grown now and I suggest this summer that we take full advantage of all the nutrients and versatility of this fruit. The season of fruit pies, tarts, and grilled fruit is here. Asian pear is great to eat raw. A fresh Asian pear has good texture and adds a lot of crunch and sweetness to salads too. Enjoy this recipe for a summer salad that you can make in just a few minutes with great summer ingredients. Enjoy!
Asian Pear Salad
A great salad to eat when the weather is warm for loads of vitamin C.
Ingredients
- 1 each seeded and diced Asian Pear leave the skin on
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 head chopped romaine lettuce or roughly 6 cups
- 1 cup cooked and chopped chicken
Dressing
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
- 2 tsps kosher salt
Instructions
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In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, salt, vinegar and olive oil for 1 minute until blended
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Add the pear, sunflower seeds, cranberries, lettuce and chicken to the bowl, toss with dressing, and serve immediately
The images in this post are from pixabay.com. This recipe is my own. This post contains affiliate links which help pay for groceries and sustain this blog.
