Season Alert: African Pear

African pears (picture credit: logbaby.com

Roast pears and corn

Much of African still eat seasonal fruits. That means that we don't get to eat all the fruits and foods we want to eat at all times. Interestingly, people wait all year for the fruits and other farm produce in their seasons.

It's the rainy season in most of Nigeria especially the Southern part. In the South East Nigeria, a season alert which is actually now on the decline is the African pear. It's called ube oji, or black pear in Igboland (South Eastern Nigeria). This name differentiates it from the avocado pear.

African pears are buttery and contain essential oils that boost immunity. Its botanical name is Dascroides edulis. For more on this wonder snack look it up in this article. There are many ways to eat the pear. Some people prefer to eat it cooked or roasted. It's usually cooked with water or just simply throw in hot water. To roast it, simply put it over a hearth fire or in hot ashes (I prefer it this way). The ash leaves a nice taste to the pears.

The pears on a branch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pears (in a plate) and cooked corn

But many people prefer to either eat the pears with cooked or roasted corn/maize as you can see in the picture above and below. Whatever your choice of preparation, enjoy and have fun eating the seasonal African pears. Ka emesia.

Roast pears and corn