This Spinach and Persimmon Salad with Honey-Mustard Dressing is prepared in simply quarter-hour and pairs properly with any essential dish—whether or not it is hen, steak, seafood, pasta, or pizza. That includes toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and feta cheese, it’s an important alternative for fall and winter, highlighting contemporary, seasonal flavors. Take pleasure in persimmons from October by December, and contemplate including this salad to your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu!
How to decide on the correct of persimmon
Persimmons are an underrated fruit of fall and winter! They’re one in all my all-time favourite fruits, but it surely’s necessary to coach your self and know the distinction between the 2 essential varieties: Fuyu and Hachiya otherwise you’ll be upset! Fuyu persimmons are brief and squat and will be eaten instantly—that is the range you wish to purchase. In distinction, Hachiya persimmons are extra elongated and have to be absolutely ripe to keep away from an astringent “cotton-mouth” feeling. Even when ripe, they’re higher suited to use in puddings, blended into yogurt, or made into sorbet, slightly than being eaten uncooked in a salad. Their creamy flesh makes them a well-liked alternative for baked items like muffins, breads, and puddings. Personally, I do not take care of Hachiya persimmons and don’t purchase them.
Fuyu persimmons on a plate.
What’s a persimmon?
Persimmons are vibrant orange fruits with a clean pores and skin and a novel, candy taste that mixes hints of honey, mango, and apricot. There are two essential varieties: Fuyu and Hachiya. Fuyu persimmons are spherical and squat, comparable in form to a tomato, whereas Hachiyas are extra elongated. Learn on beneath to be taught extra about these varieties!
What’s the distinction between Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons?
- The Fuyu selection is non-astringent and will be eaten whereas nonetheless agency, making it excellent for salads! You’ll be able to even take pleasure in it like an apple or peach, as its pores and skin is edible. Fuyu persimmons are brief and squat, usually formed like a flattened tomato.
- However, Hachiya persimmons are astringent and excessive in tannins, which may trigger a dry, puckering sensation and “cotton mouth” if eaten earlier than absolutely ripe. As soon as comfortable, they turn into tender and candy, however it may be onerous to know after they’re actually prepared. Hachiya persimmons are longer and extra elongated, resembling a big acorn or teardrop. They’re taller and extra oval-shaped in comparison with the Fuyu selection. Many individuals, myself included, want Fuyus for his or her ease and consistency.
The place are persimmons grown?
Persimmons originated in China however are actually grown in lots of international locations, together with Spain and the USA. I personally fell in love with this fruit throughout a go to to Maui, Hawaii, the place I usually purchased them at native farmers’ markets!
When are persimmons in season?
Persimmons are a fall crop, usually ripening as early as mid-September and remaining obtainable for harvest till late December, typically extending into early the next yr.
Why you will love this persimmon salad
This fall-inspired salad options easy components—spinach, persimmons, feta cheese, dried cranberries, and toasted pecans—and a home made four-ingredient dressing of honey, lemon juice, olive oil, and Dijon mustard. Prepared in simply quarter-hour, it’s excellent for including a seasonal twist to your dinner rotation. Share it at Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings, however remember to style the persimmon first to make sure you have the proper selection (it ought to be Fuyu selection – see extra on that above)! This versatile salad additionally works properly on busy weeknights or for entertaining; add your favourite protein like grilled hen, salmon, or shrimp for an entire meal. Searching for extra salads with seasonal twists? Take a look at my pear and pomegranate spinach salad or apple spinach salad.
What can you employ as a substitute of persimmons?
- Apples – particularly sweeter varieties like Fuji, Gala, Envy, or Honeycrisp.
- Pears – equivalent to Bosc, Bartlett, or Asian pear. They’ve an identical agency texture and delicate sweetness.
- Mango has a honey-like, candy, and juicy texture when absolutely ripe.
- Yellow peaches or nectarines have a candy and juicy taste with a touch of tartness – an ideal substitute for persimmon!
Storage and make-ahead suggestions
- Persimmon salad is greatest served instantly whereas it is freshest. Nevertheless, you’ll be able to put together it upfront by assembling the salad (with out the nuts and dressing) and refrigerating it for as much as 12 hours. Add the nuts and dressing simply earlier than serving.
- When you have leftovers, the salad will be saved within the fridge for as much as 2 days. For one of the best outcomes, maintain the salad and dressing in separate containers.
Different fall-inspired salads that includes seasonal components
- Spinach Salad with Sautéed Apples, Pecans, and Maple-Lime Dressing
- Christmas Spinach Salad with Mandarin Oranges, Pomegranate, and Cranberries
- Pear Spinach Salad
- Fall Pasta Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash and Maple-Lime Dressing
- Mango and Blueberry Spinach Salad
- Fall Harvest Salad with Pears, Apples, Butternut Squash, Pecans, Pumpkin Seeds, and Bacon
Spinach and Persimmon Salad with Honey-Mustard Dressing
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Components
Salad dressing
- ¼ cup additional virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice or lime juice
Salad components
- 1 cup pecan halves toasted
- 2 massive persimmons sliced (select Fuyu selection, not Hachiya – see the notes beneath for extra particulars)
- â…“ cup dried cranberries
- 5 oz child spinach
- ⅓ cup feta cheese crumbled
Directions
Make the salad dressing
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Mix olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a mason jar. Whisk with a fork for 1-2 minutes till clean and emulsified.
Put together the salad components
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Toast the pecans in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes, simply till they flip a bit darker.
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Rinse the persimmon underneath cool water and take away the leafy prime with a pointy knife. The pores and skin is edible for non-astringent varieties like Fuyu, so you’ll be able to skip peeling. I left the pores and skin on – it provides fiber and is scrumptious! Slice the fruit into rounds or wedges.
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Soak dried cranberries in scorching water for a couple of minutes to make them comfortable and juicy.
Assemble the salad
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Add child spinach to particular person salad bowls or a big serving dish. High with sliced persimmons, plumped cranberries, and crumbled feta. Add toasted pecans (some entire, some chopped) and drizzle generously with the dressing.
Notes
- Fuyu persimmons are brief, flat, and squat, formed like a tomato, and will be eaten instantly—that is the range you wish to purchase.
- In distinction, Hachiya persimmons are extra elongated and have to be absolutely ripe earlier than consuming; in any other case, they’ll depart an astringent, “cotton-mouth” sensation. I personally do not like or purchase Hachiya persimmons.
- Check out the picture beneath to see the Fuyu persimmons I used on this recipe. I additionally advocate doing a fast Google search to check the shapes of Fuyu and Hachiya—the distinction will be refined, however realizing it would provide help to keep away from any disappointment!
Vitamin
Fuyu persimmon on a plate.
