Pickled Pears
From: bonappetit.com
Makes 1 1/2 cups
1 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
2-inch piece ginger, peeled, thinly sliced
1 small red or green chile (such as jalapeņo, serrano, or Thai), with seeds, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper powder) or crushed red pepper flakes
1 Asian pear, large unripe Anjou pear, or Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, cut into 1-inch cubes
Combine all ingredients except pear in a small saucepan. Add 1/2 cup water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors. Remove from heat and let sit until warm.
Place pear cubes in a 12-oz. jar with a tight-sealing lid. Add warm pickling liquid. Let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Cover and chill. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 week ahead. Keep chilled.