warming winter salad

by Stacy

I’m in technical rehearsals for a show right now. If you are a theater person, you know what that entails. If not, that means that I work 12+ hours a day 6 days a week for several weeks. Needless to say, it’s challenging.

One struggle is finding a way to schedule in time to make food. Eating out during tech often seems like a good time-saving idea, but usually results in too much starchy, greasy, sugary food leading to blood sugar crashes and lethargy at a time when you’re under additional stress. I try really hard to pack enough food to last throughout the day along with healthy snacks to tide me over if needed.

Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way. Sometimes I get home at midnight and still need something to eat before bed. What’s quick, easy, and light — but doesn’t require cooking after a long day?

persimmons with chile and lime

Enter the persimmon. It’s a winter fruit, light and refreshing, but not so cooling as to be unpleasant on a gray day. Adding a sprinkle of chili powder for heat and a squeeze of fresh lime juice for pop makes this a great lunch, snack, or starter.

The same preparation is a great way to enjoy mango, but tropical fruit doesn’t always appeal in the dead of winter. It’s like the winter equivalent of a caprese salad without a mealy winter tomato in sight!

persimmons with chile and lime

It’s so quick and simple it barely needs a recipe. If you don’t want to slice the persimmons, just cut them into wedges or dice them and toss them in a bowl. The shape isn’t important, just cut it up and enjoy.

What’s your work schedule like? How does that affect your eating patterns?

Persimmons with Chili and Lime

Serves 2 as a snack or a starter salad

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Cut persimmons into slices “along the equator” or into wedges. Arrange on a plate.
  2. Sprinkle persimmons with chili powder.
  3. Squeeze lime juice over persimmons or simply serve with lime wedges and dress to taste at the table.

persimmons with chile and lime

{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Paige February 9, 2011 at 6:08 pm

Ooh, I’ve never had a persimmon before! I’m curious to try them!

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Stacy February 12, 2011 at 8:53 am

I hadn’t really seen them much before we moved to California, but now I love picking them up at the farmers market for snacks or to eat like this. They’re quite sweet, and delicious.

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Kate February 9, 2011 at 6:50 pm

I’ve never tried them either, definitely need to add them to a future grocery list!

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Stacy February 12, 2011 at 8:54 am

I’m not sure what your grocery stores are like other than WF and TJ’s, but sometimes they’re easier to find in Asian groceries.

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Bridget February 10, 2011 at 10:28 am

Funny you should ask about work and eating habits – I have an 8-5 desk job, so I basically have my standard set of snacks I grab throughout the day. But this morning, I had a surprise meeting, and by the time it was over, I was hours behind my normal tea-and-bagel time, and I just wanted to sit and eat and unwind, but people have been jumping out from every corner trying to talk to me. Aargh! 10 minutes please!

Anyway. I bought a persimmon once but didn’t know what to do with it so it went bad. I’m awesome.

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Stacy February 12, 2011 at 8:58 am

Do you tend to graze all day, or do you actually have a full lunch at some point? I’ve realized that I’ve changed my habits a lot for this show since I’m sitting a lot more and don’t want to eat a whole meal.

I’ve done that so many times! Last month I bought about 3 new things for New Food Fridays but they ripened at speeds unlike the seller had suggested and I missed my window to try them. Oops.

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