PERSIMMON AND POMEGRANATE SALAD

Steps:

• Cut the tops from and peel: 3 ripe medium fuyu persimmons.
• Slice them thin or cut into small wedges, removing any seeds you find. Arrange the wedges on a plate.
• Hold, cut side down, over a bowl: 1/2 pomegranate.
• Pound on the back of the fruit with a large spoon to dislodge the seeds. Pick out and discard any white pith that may have fallen out with the seeds. Sprinkle the seeds over the persimmon wedges.
• For a simple vinaigrette, mix together: 1 tablespoon sherry or red wine vinegar, Salt, Fresh-ground black pepper.
• Stir to dissolve the salt and then whisk in: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil.
• Taste and correct the salt and acid as needed. Spoon the vinaigrette over the fruit and serve.
• Variation
• Toss 4 small handfuls of lettuce with half the vinaigrette. (I prefer lettuces such as arugula, frisée, escarole, radicchio, or Belgian endive.) Arrange the lettuce on the plate and then arrange the fruit and nuts, if using, over the lettuce. Pour the rest of the vinaigrette over, and garnish with toasted walnuts.