Pears and Speck with Dried Fruit
- Gluten Free
- Lactose Free
- Difficulty: Easy
- Prep time: 20 min
- Cook time: 10 min
- Makes: 4 pieces
PRESENTATION
Pears and speck—wow, what a combo! This classic comes straight from Trentino-Alto Adige. They really love mixing sweet and savory there. Seriously good stuff. Here, pears are sautéed just right, so they are tender, then wrapped up in thin slices of speck. That’s the lightly smoked ham from South Tyrol—it's a staple over there.
Now, what really makes this dish pop is adding dried fruit like apricots or figs. And look, they’re caramelized in honey. For real, it melts into those golden pears, giving every bite that moist, sticky, and sweet magic. It is a perfect contrast with the salty speck.
In Alto Adige, you'll find this at dinner parties when someone wants to start a meal with something a little fancy. And listen, it's pretty simple too. This pear and speck combo is spot-on for date nights. It looks special on a plate. You know, cozy and shareable.
Among pear recipes, this one stands out. Really really shines, actually. Those crispy speck edges wrap around the warm fruit. Then the dried fruit and honey just tie everything together with a tangy finish. Using Speck Alto Adige IGP? Oh, it's got that deep, smoky flavor you just don't get in regular ham.
And here's the thing, whether you're trying your own twist with different speck recipes or sticking to tradition, the blend of moist pears and sticky dried fruit is both traditional and fresh. It’s a great appetizer for gatherings. But it really shines when you want something unique—something that brings a taste of northern Italy home.
The pear and speck appetizer beautifully combines local produce, simple cooking, and perfect flavor balance. Pretty much what makes Italian starters so popular. A dish that not only pleases the palate but also showcases a region’s culinary traditions. It's a memorable addition to any meal. And the sauce? It’s all there.
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- INGREDIENTS
- Bartlett pears 1
- Speck 4 slices - Alto Adige PGI
- Mix of dried fruits 1 oz (30 g)
- Wildflower honey ½ tbsp (10 g)
- Rosemary 1 sprig
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Fine salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
How to prepare Pears and Speck with Dried Fruit
To make the pears and speck with dried fruit, first wash the pear and cut it into 4 wedges 1, then remove the core. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a pan, add the pear wedges 2 and cook over medium-high heat on both sides for a few minutes 3. Season with salt and pepper.
Once golden, turn off the heat and set the pears aside, keeping them warm 4. Put the mixed dried fruit and nuts in another pan 5 and add the rosemary 6.
Add the honey 7 and cook over low heat, stirring constantly. When the honey has completely melted, remove from the heat and set aside 8. At this point, wrap a slice of Speck around each pear wedge 9.
Finish the dish with the caramelized dried fruit and nuts 10 and the chopped rosemary 11. Your pears and speck with dried fruit are ready to be served still warm 12!