Are you getting tired of oranges, apples and bananas?  Are you looking for some new ways to get that bright rainbow on your plate?  Allow me to introduce you to the Sharon Fruit!

Also known as a fuyu persimmon, this variety has been cultivated in Israel, and is being widely marketed with this user-friendly name.  (Kind of like the Chinese Gooseberry being re-branded in New Zealand as the kiwi.) Sharon actually refers to the valley region in Israel where it has been cultivated, but whatever the origin, this girl is a winner!

It’s always good to mix things up a bit and regularly try new foods.  You’ll keep yourself out of a food rut and add to the range of nutrients you are eating.    Regularly adding variety is also great way to raise kids who are open and adventurous eaters. Make it fun and tell them that a new friend is coming to the table!  Have a tasting party to decide what the flavour reminds everyone of, and let the kids come up with creative new ways to add this fruit to meals and snacks.  See who can come up with the longest list of foods that are orange like a Sharon Fruit!  See who knows the most people named Sharon!

Unlike the  cone-shaped hachiya persimmons, which can be tart and astringent if they’re not completely ripe, Sharon Fruit can be eaten hard like an apple, or left to soften up a bit.  They’re just as sweet either way.  You can peel them, or they can be eaten with the skin on -it is completely edible, and will give you an extra fibre boost!

In addition to being a source of fun and bright colour, these little orange ladies are rich sources of many nutrients, including Vitamin C, Vitamin A and fibre.  So much great stuff in one handy little package!

What to do with Sharon Fruit:

• eat whole or sliced in wedges like an apple
• slice and serve as part of a fruit platter (the orange colour is beautiful!)
• dice and add to oatmeal, cold cereal, yogurt or cottage cheese
• cut into chunks and mix with melon, apples, mango, blueberries and drizzle with lime juice for a quick fruit salad
• add to your favourite salad as you would do with apples, pears or tomatoes
• blend into your favourite smoothie
• add to colourful fruit kebabs with grapes, apple chunks, bananas

Let me know how you enjoy eating your Sharon Fruit!  Here’s a quick and easy recipe:

Sharon Salsa

• 3 medium-sized firm Sharon Fruit, diced into 1/2-inch cubes (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1/2 cup diced yellow, red or green pepper (or a mix, for a real rainbow!)
• 2 tablespoons diced raw onion (red ones add a colour boost!)
• juice of one fresh lime (about 2 tablespoons)
• a generous handful of chopped fresh herbs: basil, mint, cilantro – use what you have and what you like!
• seeded and diced jalapeno pepper (adjust the amount according to how hot you want your salsa to be!  -start with a teaspoon or two)
• 1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger  (omit if you don’t like ginger!)
• a generous pinch of sea salt

Mix everything up in a medium sized bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes or more to allow flavours to mingle.  Bring to room temperature before serving. Enjoy with grilled chicken or fish, with tacos, in quesadillas with cheese, or even straight from the bowl!

As with all of my recipes, use this as a guide but feel free to be creative and mix it up to suit your taste and what you have on hand.  There really aren’t any rules!  (I added diced zucchini when I made this today because that’s all that I had that was green!)