Bartlett Pear & Mozzarella Melt {Fresh Friday Snack}

One a scale of 1-10, Bartlett pears are crazy good right now. Way beyond 10. Ten looks like a spec to the Bartlett. So I couldn’t let this Fresh Friday pass without showing you a healthy, quick, and simple way to enjoy this seasonal treat.

Snacking on a perfectly ripe pear is one of the highlights of fall. But, you don’t get all the flavor nuances when you eat it alone. For example, stuffing it into a toasty whole wheat pita with melted part-skim mozzarella cheese transforms the pear from a simple snack to decadent (but still healthy!) mini-meal.

The simplicity of the snack belies its gourmet flavor.

Which, by the way, is my favorite kind of dish in general – one that looks and tastes complex and time-consuming but was actually really quick and simple. Who’s with me?

Pear & Mozzarella Melt

Serves: 1   Time: ~ 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 Bartlett Pear
• 1 whole wheat tortilla
• 1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions:

• Thinly slice the pear (eat two or three slices, and save the rest for the tortilla)
• Sprinkle half of the cheese onto half of the tortilla
• Top with pear slices
• Sprinkle the rest of the cheese onto the pear slices
• Fold the tortilla in half, covering the ingredients
• On a baking sheet, toast in a toaster oven for 7 minutes. Flip and cook for 3 more minutes.
  • OR brown in a skillet or panini press until toasted
• Slice and eat (the pears are a little slippery, but it’s worth it)

How to Pick & Store a Bartlett Pear: Look at the Color: As they ripen, they change from green to yellow. The yellow ones (in the picture below), will be the softest, sweetest, and juiciest. Yellow-green will taste good too, but they’ll be less intense. Store unripe pears in a warm place in a fruit bowl or a brown paper bag; once they’re the color/ripeness you like, put them in the refrigerator, advises USA Pears.