Tis' the Season for Pears

Food Network's Judy Joo is enamored with these Asian pears grown in Pennsylvania

A few years back, Judy Joo was filming a segment for the Today Show. While demoing a Korean barbecue recipe, she lamented on air how difficult it was to find good Asian pears in the United States.

She then received a surprise package from a small farm in Pennsylvania that grew Asian pears, with a note from owner Joel Spira saying, “We’ve got them.” Joo was so impressed with the pears, she started a long-lasting relationship with Subarashii Kudamono Limited, a Lehigh Valley orchard that specializes in this special fruit.

Joo loves the pears for their crisp texture, which she says aren’t like the soft, almost mushy pears we’re used to getting at the market. “These are crunchy, almost like an apple, and satiating. It’s a pleasure to bite into one because it almost snaps back at you,” she says. The Asian pears are also very juicy, according to Joo. “I eat them like crazy. They’re everything you could want — sweet, filled with nectar. They’re just so good.”

While Joo says she loves eating them in their natural form, they’re also great for holiday entertaining. “I put them in salads and they’re good on a cheese board.” Joo also likes to wrap prosciutto around them as a melon substitute. Asian pears are also used frequently in Korean cooking and are prized for their unique enzyme that naturally tenderizes meat, and Joo uses the fruit in her steak tartare recipe and grates them to use in her barbecue recipes.

Joo loves the pears so much, she’s collaborated with the farm on a special gift set that includes a signed copy of her first cookbook, “Korean Food Made Simple”, a selection of Asian pears, a bottle of aged Asian pear vinegar, a jar of sweet & savory Asian pear spread, and a package of all-natural, dried Asian pears for $99. The gift set is available directly through the farm and will arrive before Christmas (additional express shipping charges may apply). The set is also available through Goldbelly for $139.95 (shipping included). Best of all, a portion of sales will benefit City Harvest, so you’re gifting with intention.

Joo loves the idea of fruit for the holidays. “I’m a big believer in giving perishable items, especially when they’re that special and premium and luxurious,” she says, noting that each pear is hand-wrapped.

In addition to incorporating pears into your holiday, the chef and TV personality has one piece of advice for you to have the best Christmas ever. “Do as much as you can beforehand so you can kick back and relax. It’s all about being organized.” When entertaining, Joo also likes it when the action revolves around the kitchen. “I have ingredients for a few cocktails and fun shakers. This makes it social.”

Joo, herself, is planning on a holiday season that’s both busy and magical. She’s on her way to Anguilla (family in tow), where she will host a pop-up residence at the Four Seasons hotel. After that, she’ll ring in the New Year in Vienna for the Vienna Philharmonic’s annual performance.

Whatever you do for the holidays, make sure it’s filled with friends, family, and sweet memories.