Perfect for hot weather, this gluten-free shrimp noodle salad has a surprising ingredient: SunGold Kiwifruit!
[Disclosure: As a co-owner of The Recipe ReDux, I was compensated to co-manage this recipe contest with Zespri Kiwifruit. I also received free samples of Zespri SunGold kiwifruit mentioned in this post. Thoughts and opinions are my own.]
So, this recipe started out as a tiramisu and ended up as a noodle salad. Go figure.
But that’s because my mind was seriously racing with ideas when we found out that Zespri Kiwifruit was sponsoring a recipe challenge for our Recipe ReDux members featuring their new varietal – SunGold Kiwifruit.
SunGold kiwis are one of the fastest growing new fruits globally and are a natural cross between gold varieties of kiwifruit (non-GMO). Some more fun facts about the SunGold kiwi:
- It has smooth, hairless skin and yellow flesh (you can eat the skin!)
- It’s rich in Vitamin C and potassium and is a good source of Vitamin E
- It has a tropical flavor (to me tastes like cross between a sweeter green kiwi and a papaya)
- It’s in season June – October
And DYK that all kiwifruit contain actinidin – an enzyme unique to kiwifruit – which breaks down protein….which means, it makes for a terrific meat tenderizer! (Method: peel, mash and spread kiwifruit over cuts of meat for 10 – 15 minutes to tenderize then remove mashed fruit.)
All around I think kiwifruit is such a delicious yet underused fruit. You can use it an ingredient in so many ways you already use other fruits – everything from breakfasts to desserts.
Cool off w. Vietnamese Noodle Salad w. Shrimp + SunGold @ZESPRIkiwifruit via @tspbasil #thereciperedux #AD Click To TweetSo, I did start with dessert (that tiramisu) but then I was craving tacos. I considered making kiwi shrimp tacos because I love fruit salsa with tacos (still going to try this at some point) but ultimately I landed on this Vietnamese salad because of the HEAT people.
During these hot, hot months, I love the simplicity of Vietnamese cuisine and the cooling flavors of fresh mint, basil and cilantro. I ate this salad for two days straight during a heat wave.
PrintVietnamese Noodle Salad With Shrimp and Kiwifruit
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Perfect for hot weather, this gluten-free Shrimp Vietnamese Noodle Salad has a surprising ingredient: SunGold Kiwifruit!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup lime juice (2 small limes)
- 3 tablespoons gluten-free fish sauce
- 2 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 8 ounces brown rice vermicelli or rice sticks
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups bok choy, sliced
- 4 Zespri SunGold kiwifruit, sliced
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- To make sauce, whisk together lime juice, fish sauce and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Whisk in water and bring to a boil. Lower to simmer and heat for a few minutes or until sugar has dissolved. Remove from stove.
- Cook rice noodles according to package. Rinse with cool water and set side.
- In a large saute pan, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add shrimp and saute for 4-5 minutes or until shrimp are cooked through (stirring often.) Remove from pan.
- When ready to serve, divide cooked noodles and shrimp among four bowls. Carefully arrange bok choy, SunGold kiwifruit, carrots, mint, basil and cilantro among the bowls. Drizzle each bowl with 1/4 cup lime fish sauce. Serve with lime wedges.
The delicate sweet SunGold kiwi ending up being a delicious complement to the delicate herbs, noodles and shrimp – this is a recipe I know I’ll make again and again (especially in the heat of the summer.)
I’ll leave you with a few other cooking notes when using kiwifruit:
- If mixing with dairy, add kiwifruit to the dish right before serving as that actinidin also breaks down dairy proteins and can lead to curdling.
- Avoid crushing the seeds as it leads to bitterness (if pureeing in a smoothie, remove seeds first.)
- When adding to hot dishes, add right at the end as kiwifruit is delicate and breaks down easily.
Have you seen these SunGold kiwis yet in your store? How do you like to eat kiwifruit?
Check out all the creative recipes featuring SunGold kiwis below!
Kim
Tuesday 9th of August 2016
Haha my post is going live tomorrow, but I wrote the SAME thing...started out with one idea, went to tacos/salsa too, then ended up with something completely different. Love that the kiwis are so versatile!
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Tuesday 9th of August 2016
Haha - can't wait to see what you ended up making!
Emily @Sinful Nutrition
Tuesday 9th of August 2016
This looks so refreshing! Especially for those humid days when my face is practically melting off. :)
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Tuesday 9th of August 2016
Exactly how I've been feeling over the past few weeks!
Cindy @Cindy's Recipes and Writings
Monday 8th of August 2016
I'm glad you made the salad, Deanna! It sounds and looks so bright and fresh!
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Monday 8th of August 2016
Me too, Cindy - thanks much!
Farrah
Monday 8th of August 2016
I'm seriously loving those golden kiwis--this noodle salad looks awesome!
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Monday 8th of August 2016
Thanks much Farrah - I'm loving these SunGolds too :)
EA - The Spicy RD
Monday 8th of August 2016
I love the evolution of this recipe Deanna! Of course it looks amazing too. Minus the shrimp-ha,ha! This reminds me of the yummiest Green Papaya Salad I had at a Vietnamese restaurant in Hawaii a few years ago. Love the addition of kiwi to this salad!
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Monday 8th of August 2016
I will make a version for you with salmon and it will be just as tasty - hehe! That salad from Hawaii sounds amazing :)