Peel, core and dice the pear. Chop the pistachios. Zest the orange.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Generously grease and flour the baking pans.
Put flour, baking powder, sugar, butter, applesauce, eggs, egg whites, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process until just combined – about one minute: do not over-process. This could easily be done by hand, too.
Stir in the chopped dark chocolate, pear, pistachio nuts, and the zest of 1 orange.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared pans and bake in the oven for about one hour (start checking after 40 minutes) or until a skewer inserted in the center withdraws clean.
Leave in the pan a few minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.
Slice thickly and enjoy as is or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or light whipped cream.