Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 2 1/2 hr

　　

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

　　1/2 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise

　　1/2 cup water

　　3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

　　1/2 cup sugar

　　1/2 lb kumquats (20), ends trimmed, sliced crosswise 1/3 inch thick, and seeded

　　3 lb Asian pear (4 large), peeled, cored, and sliced lengthwise 1/4 inch thick

　　

Step 1

Scrape seeds from vanilla bean into water with lime juice in a small heavy saucepan, then add pod, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved, then simmer 3 minutes. Add kumquats and simmer, covered, until they just begin to soften, 3 to 4 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Put pears in a heatproof bowl. Pour kumquats and syrup over pears and toss gently, then cool.

　　

Step 3

Chill fruit, covered, at least 2 hours.

　　Cooks' note:

　　Fruit can be chilled up to 1 day.