Persimmon Harvest Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
I was inspired to make this persimmon harvest salad with maple vinaigrette after watching a recent episode of House Hunters International.
Persimmon Harvest Salad with Maple Vinaigrette
Do any of you watch that show? It’s me and my sister’s favorite “reality tv” show. My sister will often come over just to watch the latest episodes with me; our favorite episodes to watch are the ones where they travel to France (obviously).
On one of the more recent episodes, there was a woman who was moving with her family from Iowa to France. Once they arrived, they visited a French farmer’s market and found themselves in for some culture shock.
They were amazed at all the fruits and vegetables that were available, and they were particularly confused over a batch of persimmons. They didn’t know they were actually persimmons, and instead thought they were some kind of odd tomato.
I absolute love persimmons, so watching that episode inspired me to create this salad so that persimmons become a regular on your grocery list during this time of the year.
If you’ve never had a persimmon, you’re in for a delightful surprise. There are two common types: fuyu and hachiya. Fuyu persimmons are quite hard and crisp, like an apple. A hachiya persimmon should be extremely soft and juicy like a plum.
It’s important to know the difference because if you pick up a hard hachiya persimmon and assume it’s a fuyu persimmon, you’re in for an unpleasant experience. Eating an unripe persimmon is like eating a cotton ball, but worse.
It’ll immediately dry your mouth and make you desperate to spit the fruit out. So, just pay attention when you’re picking out the persimmon and make sure you’re getting the right type!
Because fuyu persimmons are so much like apples in their texture, you can understand why they’d make for a great salad ingredient. I like that fuyu persimmons are sweet but not overwhelmingly so. They also add gorgeous color to the leafy greens here, and they pair well with the sweet and tart cranberries that are mixed in too.
Another favorite addition to this salad are the spiced pumpkin seeds I tossed in. You can buy those at Trader Joe’s or make your own. They add a little bit of crunch to the salad while adding some of our favorite fall flavors like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
Perhaps the most appealing part of this salad, however, is the maple vinaigrette. It’s a simple 4-ingredient vinaigrette, and it’s absolute magic on this salad. Actually, I think it’s pretty much amazing on any fall salad. It’s made with maple syrup, mayo, olive oil, and white wine vinegar, and it’ll rock your world.
This salad has become my go-to salad this season, and I think it will become yours as well.
Persimmon Harvest Salad
A delicious fall salad made with seasonal persimmon, tart cranberries, and an irresistible maple vinaigrette.
Ingredients
for the salad
- 5 oz herb salad mix
- 2 fuyu persimmon, peeled and cut into slices
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tbsp pumpkin spiced pumpkin seeds, see note
for the dressing
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp to 1 1/2 white wine vinegar, to taste
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Place all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl; set aside. To create the dressing, simply whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Evenly drizzle half the dressing all over the salad. Toss the salad and assess how much more dressing you’d like to add.
Notes
I use Trader Joe’s pumpkin spiced pumpkin seeds, but you can use plain pumpkin seeds or make your own spiced version.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 4 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 288
Bonjour Beeta 🌞🌷🌷, you always make me so happy with your pretty and colourful posts and delicious recipes…love your style… so grateful ….yammy persimmons will add a fresh perspective to my salad….
Appreciate receiving your fun stories and suggestions…. keep well….Merci……
I have never tried persimmons! I’ve never really known what to do with them, but I do now! I make my vinaigrette with honey, I love your maple syrup version. Lovely post Beeta, I only wish I could have had a chance to win your fab giveaway goodies 🙁 <3 x
Thank you, Louise! They’re great in a salad with a sweet vinaigrette – both honey and maple are perfect choices! 🙂 XO
I love persimmons!! What a colorful and beautiful salad you made!!!
Thank you, Ludmilla! I love the color too 🙂
What a good looking salad! I haven’t had a persimmon in a long time. I suddenly have the craving for them. Definitely wound be awesome for lunch on this sweet and fresh salad!
Thank you, Rachel! Persimmons are great – they add a lot of vibrancy and a touch of sweetness <3
Loved reading this post. I miss eating Brazilian persimmons. They are sweeter and softer than the ones I find here in the US. But maybe I’m picking the wrong kind? I never knew there were two kinds of persimmons. Thanks for teaching me something new!
Hi Olivia! I think the softer persimmons are more common; they’re so sweet and yummy – I love ’em! Thanks so much for visiting, hope to see you again <3
Gurrrl, one of me and hubby’s favorite shows is House Hunters International too!! We daydream about moving to another country, especially Spain. The problem with that show is it makes me want a home in both the country and in town. lol! This salad is fall perfection! The colors are so beautiful and fresh. I always have lots of local maple syrup on hand so I’m sure I’ll be making this dressing a lot 🙂
Oh my gosh, Karrie, I totally know what you mean! I always want a house in the country AND the city too! :p Guess we’ll have to get so rich we can have both! And you’re so lucky you have an abundance of local maple syrup…I envy you, you New Englander! :p Any nationally sold brands (or even ones I can buy online) that you recommend? I always get this brand called Butternut Mountain Farm from Vermont, and it’s got cinnamon sticks or vanilla beans steeped inside :p Anyways, thanks so much for the sweet words, love! XO
I love it when persimmons come back into season. This looks like a tasty seasonal salad.
Thanks so much, Jemma! I love when they’re in season too! 🙂
This is such a beautiful salad, Beeta! My mom absolutely adores persimmons and usually buys them by the boxful and she’ll bring some over so we can share. I’ve never tried persimmon in a salad before so I can’t wait to try this when she comes over next time. Sounds so fresh and delicious!
Oooh please call me too next time she comes over! hehe I could totally enjoy a nice box full :p And yes, please give this a try – you’ll love it! XO