Hurry and gather up the last of the persimmons because this salad should not be missed. Technically, we should still have persimmons until February, but I have a suspicion that they will soon be gone…maybe it’s just because time has been going so incredibly fast for me. When I was a kid, a week seemed like an eternity. Now I am hardly done with Monday by the time I am setting my alarm clock on Sunday. To my great dismay, I fear I might have turned into one of those ridiculous adults that I used to scoff at. You know, the “where did the time go” types. Mind you, I have not succumbed to hackneyed expressions about time…but I think them. Eek! Case in point, I recently found out that a friend I had lost contact with from High School is pregnant. When I found out I literally gasped in shock like we were still seventeen. My scandalized inner voice screamed “Oh no, you got pregnant!” (Mind you I didn’t actually say this…I just thought it and hopefully did not show it on my face.) She’s married and to most normal people this is not a shocking announcement, but somehow the passage of time has been striking me odd. I don’t know how time passing should feel, but so far it has been anything but a linear one-step-in-front-of-the-other process. It has been a convoluted path with twists and turns…half the time it moves at warp speed the other half it slows to an unbearable pace, and somehow there is yet another half that feels so utterly normal and even paced that I think I just might have figured everything out. [Nope!]
Even with all of this, I still am quite comforted by the passage of time. Knowing its constancy is peaceful to me. Twenty-four hours, every day, no matter what. And within each of those hours are minutes and seconds to be experienced in limitless ways. They can be short, long, dull, sharp, and filled with all things beautiful or horrible or both. Time is life and life is time. And I am quite appreciative to be able to experience it and marvel at it. This subject always gets me a bit pensive, and before I get too far away from the matter at hand, we should talk about these persimmons and this incredible salad, not in the least because I am running out of time to write this post!
I was perusing some of my favorite cookbooks this weekend looking for inspiration. After several delightful minutes flipping through Sara Forte’s remarkable cookbook The Sprouted Kitchen, I stumbled upon the Salads section. Her tahini dressing jumped out at me and I instantly thought about pairing it with persimmon. I love when I’m right. The flavors together are amazing. We licked the bowls clean! I adapted her recipe slightly to fit our tastes by substituting maple syrup for agave and reducing the amount of sweetener. I also used a sparing amount of pepper rather than the 1/2 teaspoon she calls for. There are so many wonderful recipes to explore on her blog and she has two cookbooks to lose yourself in (highly recommended!). I hope you find the time to make this, and if not, I hope you find the time to appreciate time and this magical moment that we are all experiencing together right now. Have a beautiful week.
~ Kathryn
- 2 Persimmons peeled and sliced into wedges (I used Fuyu)
- 2 Handfuls frisée
- 3 Handfuls mixed baby greens
- ¾ Cup sliced steamed or sautéed brussels sprouts
- ½ Cup pomegranate arils
- ¼ Cup tahini
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- ½ Teaspoon sea salt
- Pinch of freshly ground pepper or more to your taste
- Water to thin
- Wash and thoroughly dry your greens.
- Allow your Brussels sprouts to come to room temperature after steaming and slice into thin slivers.
- Remove arils from your pomegranate and set aside.
- Combine all of your dressing ingredients mixing well. Depending on how thick your tahini is you may have to stir in some water to achieve a loose salad dressing-like consistency. Add water slowly.
I never thought about pairing tahini with persimmons – but as I’ve said before, I really am new to liking persimmons in the first place. Beautiful salad, but what really inspired me are your thoughts on the passage of time – it’s true how we ourselves and our position in life are our only anchor…. and when we compare ourselves to others, we see them through our own experiences and pace. And as I always see myself as a slightly confused, stubborn 15 year old, I too tend to react with a bit of shock to 29 and 30-year-olds being pregnant! Ha.
I’m new to persimmons too and I just love them! Glad to hear I am not the only one who is in shock over these types of things! I knew we were kindred spirits from when I first discovered your blog. Happy week, Ksenia <3
Your photos of this salad are lovely! I have actually never eaten a persimmon… but they seem to be a popular fruit(veg?) amongst so many bloggers! Maybe we don’t grow them much here but I just never really see them at the shops and I wouldn’t have a clue what it tastes like. Tomato is what my brain thinks. x
I just recently discovered persimmons and I love them! They can take a nice sauce without their flavoring getting lost. Perfect for salads. To me they are a cross between papaya and melon…although they really have their own unique flavor. Thanks for stopping by <3
I too love Sara’s recipes and her tahini dressing is so wonderful! And I adore persimmons just like you! Such a colorful salad to brighten up these winter days. Yes, time passes by so quickly and I want to appreciate every moment for what is is. Happy new year, Kathryn!
Thanks, Emily. And well said regarding appreciation. Happy New Year to you <3
On the topic of time, I cannot believe we are into 2016! 2015 is the fastest year I have experienced. This salad looks so bright and happy! I love pomegranate in salads and will have to try persimmons. And of course, a tahini dressing makes everything better!
Every year is starting to feel like that! Time is at warp speed!! The persimmons are perfect in this salad. I think you’ll love it. Thanks for stopping by, Liora.
Kathryn, but what if time isn’t real? What if it’s something that we invented to “regulate” ourselves, and is not in fact something objective — hence the warps and twists and turns…? What if we are trying to force something to be something else, and sometimes it just doesn’t want to co-operate? Just sayin’ … Possibilities… I hope you have time to think more about time now! 🙂
And persimmons & tahini are indeed magical together. Well, tahini is amazing with so many fruits really. But I never had it in a salad like this… sounds incredible and you pretty much packed it with all my favorite flavors… Must try!
I think time is one of those things you could contemplate endlessly and have more questions about it then when you began. I like the points you raise — I will have to take some time to consider 😉
The salad was so great! I hope you get a chance to try it.
I know… so much to contemplate… so little time… I think some cookies or chocolate are in order for brain fuel first 😉
Hehe! Agreed!