If you could taste the night air on the Amalfi Coast…

…this is what it would taste like.
Limoncello Gingered Pear Gelato.

Limoncello is a drink so tied to the Amalfi Coast of Italy that the two are difficult to separate. A drive along the winding roads high above the sea provides glimpses of Italian sunsets over hillside lemon groves. Walking through Sorrento, or Positano, or the tiny little town of Ravello will introduce you to handpainted pottery, amazing gelatos, and witout a doubt…Limoncello. You’ll be offered a glass with your dessert at dinner – probably free of charge. The coast seems to breathe Limoncello, and you can almost smell it in the air. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if it didn’t flow in the veins of those who live there.

I was fortunate enough to spend a beautiful week in Positano with Jon a few years ago, and have wanted to go back ever since. It was amazing, and the food is unparalleled. So are the views. If you ever have the chance to go, I highly recommend it.
I was also fortunate enough to happen onto a few pounds of these gorgeous pears earlier in the week at a great price. i wasn’t exactly sure what I would do with them, but I couldn’t let such great looking fruit pass me by. So yesterday, I decided on Pear Gelato. While searching for the perfect recipe, I ran across a Gingered Pear recipe. But then I stumbled upon a recipe by Jamie Oliver – using grappa – and it hit me. Use my limoncello. So I decided, why not combine the two? And thus, the Limoncello Gingered Pear Gelato was born. The pear taste is certainly the best part of this cool treat, with subtle ginger flavor in the background. Mixed into the aftertaste is the Limoncello…just enough zing to let you know – this isn’t your ordinary dessert. This is something else entirely. I hope you enjoy it.

Limoncello Gingered Pear Gelato

3 large pears, very ripe, peeled and cored
2/3 cup vanilla sugar
2/3 cup water
1/4 cup Limoncello (the best you can find)
1/2 Lemon – juice and zest of
1/4 tsp. ground ginger

In small bowl, combine pears,lemon juice, zest, and sugar, stirring occasionally. After at least an hour, transfer to blender or food processor and combine with remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until chilled, then transfer to Ice Cream Maker and follow manufacturers instructions.