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?
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!
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:
- 2 Fuyu persimmons
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- lime wedges
Directions:
- Cut persimmons into slices “along the equator” or into wedges. Arrange on a plate.
- Sprinkle persimmons with chili powder.
- Squeeze lime juice over persimmons or simply serve with lime wedges and dress to taste at the table.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Ooh, I’ve never had a persimmon before! I’m curious to try them!
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.
I’ve never tried them either, definitely need to add them to a future grocery list!
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.
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.
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.