Persimmon Recipe: Baby Kale and Persimon® Salad #persimonsays

I've always seen persimmons in grocery stores but never tried them because I didn't know anything about them.  Do you like persimmons?  Have you heard of Persimon®?  I didn't until just recently.  A Persimon® is a special persimmon from Spain! They are always ready to eat and do not need to be ripened like other persimmons.  They are ripe when firm!  Persimon® persimmons are only available in Canada until mid-January. 

A Persimon® persimmon is so good for you! Here are some awesome facts about this tasty fruit: 

• - Persimon® is high in fibre, with 6 grams per fruit

- They are a source of vitamins C, K and folate, and an excellent source of vitamin A

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• - Persimon® contains the minerals potassium, magnesium and manganese, which are factors in the maintenance of good health 
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• - Persimon® contains the antioxidants beta carotene, lutein and lycopene. These antioxidants, along with vitamins A and C, may help protect human cells from the damaging action of free radicals, thus protecting against heart disease, cancer and aging

You can find some awesome recipes for Persimon® at http://persimonsays.com/delicious-recipes/.  Being a huge fan of salads I decided to make a Baby Kale and Persimon® Salad for my family to enjoy!  My husband asked for seconds and I just loved the sweet, delicate taste of the Persimon®.  I will definitely be making this again and again!

Baby Kale and Persimon® Salad

2 Persimon®, sliced crosswise
5 cups (1.25 L) baby kale
1/2 cup (125 ml) grated Spanish red wine goat cheese, like Drunken Goat
1/3 (75 ml) toasted chopped walnuts
1/4 cup (60 ml) thinly sliced red onion

Lemon vinaigrette
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) finely chopped chives 
1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon
1/4 tsp (1 ml) each salt and pepper
1/3 cup (75 ml) lemon juice

For vinaigrette, whisk together lemon juice, oil, chives, Dijon and salt and pepper.

Place walnuts in frying pan over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until golden brown and fragrant.

Arrange 5-6 slices of Persimon® in a circle on 4 plates. In a large bowl, toss together kale, goat cheese, walnuts and red onion with half of vinaigrette. Place quarter of salad in centre of each plate. Drizzle remaining dressing on persimmon slices and serve.

Makes 4 servings

PER SERVING: 306 calories, 22 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, 13 mg cholesterol, 401 mg sodium, 24 g carbohydrates, 5 g fibre, 12 g sugars, 6 g protein. % RDI: 20% calcium, 8% iron, 4% vitamin A, 100% vitamin C. tried them because I didn't know anything about them.  Do you like persimmons?  Have you heard of 

My 5 year old son who is a pretty picky eater even loved the taste of the Persimon® persimmon! 

To celebrate Persimon® season, Persimon® from Ribera del Xúquer is giving away a one week trip for two to Valencia, Spain!  Contest closes January 31st, 2015.  Enter here and GOOD LUCK!  http://persimonsays.com/contest/