Persimmon Salad With Apple Cider Vinaigrette (Printable version)

Sweet persimmons paired with peppery greens, fennel, pomegranate, and goat cheese in a tangy apple cider dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ Salad Components

01 - 3 ripe Fuyu persimmons, sliced into thin wedges
02 - 5 oz mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, or baby kale)
03 - 1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced
04 - 1/3 cup pomegranate seeds
05 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
06 - 2 oz goat cheese, crumbled

→ Apple Cider Vinaigrette

07 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
08 - 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
11 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
12 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

# How to Make It:

01 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified. Set aside at room temperature.
02 - Place mixed greens, sliced persimmons, fennel, and pomegranate seeds in a large salad bowl. Toss gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
03 - Drizzle half the vinaigrette over the salad mixture. Toss gently until leaves are lightly coated. Add remaining dressing as needed.
04 - Sprinkle toasted walnuts and crumbled goat cheese over the top of the dressed salad.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional vinaigrette if desired. Serve immediately while persimmons remain firm and walnuts are crisp.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of sweet persimmons and tangy vinaigrette creates that perfect sweet and savory balance we all crave
  • It comes together in literally fifteen minutes but looks like something from a fancy restaurant
02 -
  • Use only Fuyu persimmons for this recipe. Hachiya persimmons are the heart-shaped ones and need to be completely soft before eating or they will be unpleasantly astringent.
  • Toast your walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for just 3 to 4 minutes. Watch them closely because they go from perfectly toasted to burned in seconds.
03 -
  • If you cannot find Fuyu persimmons, firm-ripe Bosc pears make an excellent substitute and offer a similar sweet crunch.
  • Room temperature ingredients absorb dressing better than cold ones, so let your ingredients sit out for about 15 minutes before tossing.

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