You might know it as Nashpati, Babugosha or simply as pears, but if you live in India it is highly unlikely that you wouldn’t have ever tasted this green-skinned, white-fleshed sweet fruit, especially during autumn and winter months. Scientists believe that pears originated nearly 55 million years ago in Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor, and travelled from there to India via the Silk Route in later times. Now, there are hundreds of varieties of pears grown across India, with 24 in India—including Nashpati and Babugosha—in states like Jammu, Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
While most people across India start getting different varieties of pears during autumn and winter months, the tendency usually is to eat the fruit raw. Sure, you might even slice some pears and add them to autumn fruit salads, but when it comes to Indian cuisine, there simply aren’t too many culinary explorations of pear as a fruit. On the other hand, there are many European pear dishes that have now made their way to Indian homes.
Video Credit: YouTube/Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana
So, if you are looking for the perfect taste of pears this autumn, try these Indian and European pear recipes.
Pear Rabdi
This Indian dessert incorporates the flavours and textures of pears to create a rich and creamy dish that anybody can enjoy. Ripe pears are peeled, chopped and simmered in a blend of milk, cardamom powder and sugar to create a slow-cooked and textural Rabdi. Many people tend to add saffron to this one, but it tastes great even without it. Garnish the Pear Rabdi with pistachios and almonds before serving.
Pear Chutney
Sweet, sour and slightly spicy, this Pear Chutney is an autumn must-have and very easy to make. Just peel and slice the pears, then cook them in a mix of oil, mustard seeds, cinnamon, cloves, vinegar and sugar. You can also add some ginger slivers and dry red chillies in the tempering if you so like. Bottle this one away and relish it with snacks.
Pear Halwa
Don’t just rely on carrots and beets to whip up delicious Halwas. Add this delicious Pear Halwa recipe to your repertoire this autumn and relish the dish all through winter too! Grate peeled and cored pears, then cook them in a mix of ghee, sugar and milk. You can flavour the Halwa with some cardamoms and garnish it with pistachios, almonds and cashews.
Pear Lassi
If you are looking for an autumn-themed drink to add to your repertoire, then this Pear Lassi or Nashpati Lassi is a must have. Pick the ripest of pears, core and peel them, then blitz them to glorious deliciousness with yoghurt, cardamom and a bit of sugar. You can add almonds or saffron to make this Pear Lassi more flavoursome, but it is good to go without it too.
Nashpati Sabji
Also known as Khatti Meethi Nashpati Sabji, this one is a delicacy in certain parts of India, though not as popular in others. Chunks of pears are cooked along with onions, tomatoes, mild spices and no garlic. The blend of sweetness from the pears and the sourness from tomatoes makes this a tangy-and-sweet treat nobody should miss.
Nashpati Jelly
A variety of the jellies made across Bengal and Assam, this one is made with grated or thinly sliced pears. The trick here is that the skin of fruits like pears and apples already have pectin, so all you need to do to make a Nashpati Jelly is use pear slices with their skin on and cook them with sugar and a dash of salt and vinegar. Relished with bread as well as Indian meals, this one is a must-have.
Pear Cake
If there is one European-origin pear dish that is often cooked up by people across the Indian subcontinent now, it is Pear Cake. While many choose to make a Pear Cake with refined flour, sugar, butter, vanilla essence, eggs and pear chunks, others have started experimenting with alternative flours, vegetable oil and pear puree too. Another popular variation is the Upside-Down Pear Cake that is also increasingly popular across Indian homes and bakeries.