Pomegranate Persimmon Salad with Toasted Walnuts
This fall salad celebrates juicy, bright fruit - pomegranates and persimmons, with a hint of spice, a nutty crunch from walnuts, and a tart, healthy salad dressing made with Just Pomegranate Molasses and sumac. It's a salad you'll keep coming back for, and an easy vegan salad dressing to make in bulk for meal prep!
- Serves 8-10 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pomegranates
- 6 fuyu persimmons (NOT hachiya)
- 2 heads of frisee or other light green
- 3 bunches of escarole or other crunchy green
- 1 cup walnuts
- 4 tbsp Just Date Syrup
- 1.5 tbsp dried red chili pepper (espelette, aleppo, marash)
- 1 cup of quinoa
- 3/4 cup olive oil (dressing)
- 1/4 cup Just Pomegranate Molasses
- 2 tbsp Just Date Syrup (dressing)
- 1 tbsp sumac
- 2 tbsp sherry vinegar
Instructions
- From the top of the pomegranate, slice vertically into the fruit, cutting down a little less than halfway. Then cut horizontally, again cutting down the same depth. Pull apart the top of the pomegranate like a flower, revealing the seeds inside.
- Remove all pomegranate seeds, separating from the white pith, and set aside.
- Slice persimmons into thin circles to reveal a star at the center. Choose to keep in circular form or cut into half-moons.
- Put walnuts in a skillet over medium-high heat with dried red chili and Just Date Syrup, stirring frequently until walnuts are coated. Sprinkle lightly with large flake salt while still hot.
- Bring quinoa to boil in 2 cups water, then simmer covered until soft and curly grain is visible. Drain if necessary.
- In batches, add a thin layer of olive oil to a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Crisp quinoa in a single layer, watching closely until golden brown and crisp. Cool on a paper towel.
- Chop frisee and escarole. Lightly season with salt and pepper, toss well.
- Blend all dressing ingredients in a powerful blender until mostly smooth but still with tiny chunks of date (approximately 8 minutes on medium speed). Take breaks to avoid overheating blender.
- Toss all salad ingredients thoroughly, starting with half of the salad dressing. Add more dressing as needed.
- Toss the toasted quinoa with salad at the very end, after dressing. Serve immediately.