Kiwi are in season! We are lucky enough to have kiwi berries growing on vines in our yard. They contain all the glory of kiwifruit in bite-sized pieces (smaller than a raspberry) and without the brown, furry exterior.
Kiwi are also known as the “King of Berries”, and for good reason!
Nutrition Highlights of Kiwi:
- Contains vitamin C than an orange
- Offers more potassium than a banana
- Kiwis host some lovely plant chemicals (aka “phytochemicals”) that supply you with an arsenal of chronic disease-fighting bad boys.
- A daily dose of kiwifruit can protect DNA from damage that promotes cancer. Even better, kiwifruit promotes repair of damaged DNA.
- Some of kiwifruit’s natural chemicals assassinate oral tumor cells.
- Kiwi help platelets to become “less sticky” and help with lowering triglycerides (fat) in the blood, protecting you against heart disease.
- It contains lutein and zeaxanthin – phytochemicals found in the human eye – which are protective against macular degeneration and cataracts.
If you are lucky enough to get your paws on red-fleshed kiwi, they are rich in anthocyanins, which are also secret agents protecting against heart disease and cancer.
Add kiwifruit to yogurt with berries and hemp seeds. Mmmm!
Try adding kiwifruit to yogurt, cottage cheese, smoothies, grilling it, or making it into a yummy salsa for fish.
Kiwifruit provide antioxidants that can help your immune system and give you a boost against free radicals that promote disease and aging.
You might like to try kiwifruit as a part of the secret sauce in your anti-aging remedy. There are about 40 different varieties of kiwi. Hayward, the kiwi produced in California, is grown for its large size and high sugar content. It is harvested in late September, October, and early November.
Kiwi salsa:
- 2-3 skinned, chopped kiwi
- 1 skinned, chopped mango
- 1 cup chopped purple onion
- 1 clove chopped garlic
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/3 cup Chopped parsley
- Juice and zest of 1 lime
- Salt & pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days.
Tell me . . . how do you like eating kiwifruit? I’d love to try out your special kiwi ideas.
Love, peace, and kiwi,
Foodie Francie
