Mom's Best Recipes
Recipe

Kaki (Persimmon) Salad

Sweet persimmon, peppery greens, crispy prosciutto, and a lemon honey vinaigrette that makes the whole bowl taste like a fresh start.

Author By Matt Campbell
4.8
A plated persimmon (kaki) salad with arugula, crispy prosciutto shards, toasted walnuts, and crumbled goat cheese on a white plate

Kaki is one of those ingredients that looks fancy even when you did basically nothing. Slice it, toss it with something peppery, add a salty crunch, and suddenly you have the kind of salad people lean over and ask, What is in this?

This recipe is my favorite way to use Fuyu persimmons, the squat, tomato-shaped ones you can eat while still firm. They bring a clean honey sweetness that plays ridiculously well with salty prosciutto, creamy goat cheese, and a lemony vinaigrette. It is bright, cozy, crisp, and a little dramatic in the best way.

Two whole Fuyu persimmons and one sliced into thin wedges on a wooden cutting board next to a chef's knife

Why It Works

  • Balanced flavor without fuss: sweet kaki, salty prosciutto, tangy goat cheese, and a lemon honey vinaigrette keep every bite interesting.
  • Big texture energy: crisp persimmon, crunchy nuts, and shattery prosciutto make this salad feel like more than just greens.
  • Flexible and forgiving: swap arugula for mixed greens, walnuts for pecans, goat cheese for feta, and it still works.
  • Fast but still a little fancy: the prosciutto crisps while you slice fruit and whisk dressing, so you are done in about 15 minutes.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Best move: store components separately so nothing gets soggy.

  • Dressed salad: If it is already dressed, refrigerate in an airtight container and aim to finish within 24 hours. The arugula will wilt and the persimmon will soften, but it is still tasty.
  • Undressed components: Keep greens in a container lined with a paper towel for up to 2 to 3 days (best in 1 to 2). Slice persimmons right before serving if possible, or store sliced persimmon in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
  • Crispy prosciutto: Cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 to 3 days. Re-crisp in a dry skillet over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or warm on a sheet pan until crisp again.
  • Vinaigrette: Refrigerate in a jar for up to 5 days. Bring to room temp and shake hard before using.

Common Questions

What is kaki?

Kaki is the Japanese name often used for persimmon. In many grocery stores, you will see them labeled as persimmons, kaki, or Sharon fruit.

Which persimmon should I buy for salad?

Go for Fuyu persimmons if you want slices that hold their shape. They are firm when ripe and you can eat them like an apple. Hachiya persimmons are more acorn-shaped and need to be very soft and jelly-ripe before eating. They are great for baking, blending, or eating fresh when fully ripe.

How do I know a Fuyu persimmon is ripe?

It should be deep orange and feel firm but not rock hard, like a just-ripe peach that is still holding it together. If it is super hard, let it sit on the counter for a day or two.

Do I peel persimmons?

You can, but you do not have to. I usually do not peel Fuyu persimmons if the skin looks smooth and unblemished. If the skin feels tough or you just prefer it, peel them with a vegetable peeler.

What can I use instead of prosciutto?

Crispy bacon works, so does salami crisped in a skillet. For a vegetarian version, add crispy chickpeas or extra toasted nuts for crunch.

What if my persimmon tastes astringent?

If it is a Hachiya that is not fully ripe, it can taste drying and unpleasant. For this salad, stick with Fuyu. If you only have Hachiya, wait until it is extremely soft, then spoon it over the salad like a sweet dressing, or skip it and use orange segments.

The first time I cooked with kaki, I treated it like a mysterious fruit that needed a game plan. Turns out the plan is: slice, taste, and do not overthink it. I started making this salad on nights when I wanted something fresh but still wanted a little salty, crispy chaos in the bowl.

Now it is my go-to when persimmons show up looking like tiny orange lanterns at the store. The prosciutto crisping in the pan is my favorite part, mostly because it makes the kitchen smell like you are doing something impressive even if dinner is basically a salad and a vibe.