Spinach Salad with Persimmons and Almonds

09/05/2011 15 Comments

here’s a simple, unique, nutrient-rich salad for your weekday. i love this concoction because it comes together in a minute, and has the sweet-salty-crunchy combination i need to keep me interested in salads. plus, it uses my favorite fruit: persimmons.

persimmons are all over the farmers markets right now, and i couldn’t be happier. since the best ones only emerge in autumn, i try and snatch them up and consume as many as possible in those few short weeks. if you’re new to persimmons, they look a bit like bright orange tomatoes, but with firm flesh and a very sweet, floral taste. there are a number of varieties grown and sold globally — fuyu persimmons are most common in the West, and are my favorite.

we eat loads of spinach in this house, since it’s delicious raw or thrown in last minute to just about any hot dish. here, the spinach is a neutral base for the sweet fruit and warm crunch of the toasted almonds. olive oil and lemon mingle with the persimmon’s juice, and in less than 5 minutes you have a healthy, vibrant snack or salad for any time of day.

SPINACH SALAD WITH PERSIMMONS AND TOASTED ALMONDS
provisions:
baby spinach
1/2 persimmon per serve, sliced
small handful toasted whole almonds per serve
drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice, to dress
method:
distribute baby spinach equally among serving bowls (i made this salad for two). slice the top off the persimmon, cut in half, then cut each half into 3-4 small slices. chop about a handful of whole toasted almonds per serving (if not toasted already, just place them on a pan on medium-low heat or in a toaster oven until fragrant). 
distribute the persimmon slices and the toasted almonds over each bowl, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and squeeze of lemon juice, and serve. 

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  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/07073920261483561794 Christina

    i think persimmons are the cutest! weird, i know. now i really really want to leave work and go buy one. shoot.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/00267762026583525273 Foodness Gracious

    I’m familiar with persimmons but can honestly say I have never tried them. The salad looks fresh and tasty and had only ever come across recipes for persimmon pie, hmmm…
    Thanks, and cool pictures!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02682199058521082342 Agnes

    Ah, I never thought of having persimmons in a salad before! Normally I just eat them plain – I like the non-astringent version when they’re still a bit crunchy. So fab!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08934497862144836328 Lady Grey

    I’ve only eaten a persimmon once, and I loved it! This salad looks amazing!
    xo

  • http://sinfullyspicy.com/ Tanvi@SinfullySpicy

    Thanks for stopping by my blog Yasmeen.Love your beautiful blog! I love salads with veggies and fruits together.This is such a perfect fit for my palate.Would be back for more :)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16138973054489657092 b. lee

    fresh & flavorful * *

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/17133232352924060797 Joanne

    Salads with fun mix-ins are the BEST! And this looks so delicious…I love the persimmon slices. They are one of my favorite fruits!

  • http://www.missanthropistskitchen.wordpress.com/ Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist’s Kitchen

    This looks pretty delicious! Just discovered your blog…interesting stuff! :)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/14502661336533003529 Jennifer

    This looks fantastic! Stopping over from Tasty Tuesday! <3 Soooo glad I did! <3

    xoXOxo
    Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/07091859991679180226 Ashley

    Yum! I will have to try this sometime!

  • http://www.nourish-me.typepad.com/ Lucy

    i’ve a bowl sitting on my table at the moment, and i love do so love them. lovely salad, especially with the almonds. nice to meet you!

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/12904862177374140839 Miss Muffy

    I ADORE persimmons- I have no idea why I haven’t put them on a salad before! Thanks for the idea!!! Stopping by from Tasty Tuesday @ FTLOB :)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02722720171083290211 girlichef

    You know…I’m trying hard to remember if I’ve ever even tried a persimmon…and I don’t think that I have!! Wha…? I guess I just never really knew what to do with one. I’m going to have to change that…this salad looks and sounds wonderful :D

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/17091286576114972885 sarah nicole

    I’ve never had a persimmon! I will have to look for them next fall.

    xo,

    Sarah

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/16327344027557036250 Candace

    I love the colors in this salad! So beautiful and healthy! I remember eating a persimmon that wasn’t ripe off of a tree when I was a child. What an experience! I’m afraid that I’ve never tried a ripe one before. Your description sounds much different than what I experienced! I definitely want to give a ripe on a try sometime. :)