This gingered winter fruit salad is a bright, fresh counterpoint to heavier seasonal dishes, combining citrus, pears, kiwi and pomegranate with a light maple and fresh ginger syrup. It hits a nice balance of sweet, tart and warm spice without feeling sugary or heavy, making it a solid option for brunch, a light dessert or a healthier addition to a holiday spread. Colorful, flavorful and mostly make-ahead, it looks impressive while keeping things simple and clean.
All of the fruit except the pears can be prepared 8 hours ahead of time. For the cleanest presentation, keep fruits separate until 10 minutes before serving.
Ginger Winter Fruit Salad — makes 8 servings
Ingredients:
• 1/4 cup of maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon of water
• 4 inches of fresh ginger, roughly chopped
• 1 pomegranate
• 4 clementines
• 2 blood oranges
• 2 starfruit
• 4 kiwi fruits
• 2 Asian pears
• 2 Bosc or Comice pears
Directions:
- In small saucepan, combine maple syrup, water, and ginger over high heat. Bring to a boil, then turn off heat and cover. Allow to sit at least 20 minutes. Strain, discarding ginger.
- Prepare fruit as follows:
- To prepare pomegranate: Break pomegranate open over large bowl filled with water. Working in the water, slowly peel away the membrane, pushing out the arils (the covering over the seeds) and seeds, which will sink to the bottom of the bowl as the membrane floats.
- To prepare clementines: Peel whole fruit and separate sections. Soak the sections in a bowl of ice water for 10 minutes. Use the back side of a paring knife (not the sharp edge, which will cut through) to scrape off all pith (the white stringy tissue between the clementine peel and fruit).
- To prepare blood oranges: Slice off top (stem) and bottom ends of oranges. Place oranges upright on cutting board. Cut away the peel and pith, slicing along the curve of the fruit. Once all peel and pith are removed, slice lengthwise along the membranes lining one section, then remove with paring knife. Make sure to work over a bowl to catch orange sections. Slice lengthwise along the next membrane; that section should fall out.
- To prepare starfruits: Cut off ends. Slice lengthwise to preserve star shape.
- To prepare kiwis: Slice off top (stem) and bottom of kiwis. Work the edge of a large spoon under the skin, then use the spoon to peel away the skin. Slice peeled fruit crosswise.
- To prepare pears: Slice pears in half lengthwise. Use paring knife to cut a channel around stem and seeds; remove. Slice each half into 6 long pieces.
- Mix all fruit together in large bowl. Drizzle with maple-ginger syrup and toss.
Nutritional Information:
Calories: 153
Fat: 1
Protein: 2
Carbs: 39
Sodium: 5
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