Crunchy Kale Salad With Plums and Dates

By Genevieve Ko

Published July 15, 2022

Crunchy Kale Salad With Plums and Dates
Bobbi Lin for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Eugene Jho. Prop Stylist: Christina Lane.
Total Time
15 minutes
Rating
4(312)
Comments
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Kale salad has passed whatever nebulous test there is of food fads and become a mainstay, especially in the fall, but it’s ideal for summer, too, because it doesn’t wilt in the heat. If anything, you want to be sure to crush the finely sliced greens until they’re droopy. Kale salad can feel like a chore to chew if the greens aren’t softened sufficiently, so massage them into submission. To add a welcome, easy crunch to the tender leaves, this salad is littered with roasted, salted sunflower seeds. They’re a savory contrast to tangy wedges of juicy plums and chewy, sweet dates in the lemony mix that holds up well on any picnic table and for up to 3 days in the fridge.

Featured in: 20 Easy Salads for Every Summer Table

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Ingredients

Yield:4 to 6 servings
  • 1large bunch kale (1 pound), stems discarded, leaves finely sliced
  • 1lemon
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 8pitted dates
  • 3ripe but firm plums or pluots
  • ½cup roasted salted sunflower seeds
  • ¼cup roasted walnut oil or olive oil
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

274 calories; 16 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 10 grams polyunsaturated fat; 34 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams dietary fiber; 26 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 682 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the kale in a large bowl and finely grate the lemon zest directly over the greens. Halve the lemon and squeeze the juice all over, straining out the seeds. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then use your hands to mix and massage the kale, squeezing handfuls of the greens until they’re all softened. Let stand while you prepare the fruit.

  2. Step 2

    Chop the dates. Cut the plums into wedges, discarding the pits, then cut each wedge in half crosswise. Toss the dates and plums with the kale, along with the sunflower seeds and walnut oil, until well mixed. Season to taste with more salt and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Ratings

4 out of 5
312 user ratings
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Comments

Barbara Snider

Beet greens equally good and more tender than kale. No massaging necessary.

Jennifer O

This is one of the most easy to make and delicious, juicy summer salads! Bit hit with everyone. Plums are in, you've got to make this. Splurge and buy those jammy Medjool dates. I'm keeping this recipe forever!!!

Kat

Loved this, and although it wasn’t quite as specified, it’s a flexible recipe and was really good. I had kale to use up but no plums, so I made it with apples, chopped dates, sunflower seed, and toasted walnuts, because they go so well with kale and apples. It’s summer now, but as I made it, it’s a nice and healthy winter salad to make with inexpensive ingredients that keep well in the fridge.

Mary D

I have been substituting other stone fruits in this salad. I particularly liked the apricot version. I also sub other nuts like almonds and pecans when I have no sunflower seeds, but I imagine pumpkin seeds would also work well. I love this recipe because my husband does not enjoy salads (or kale) like I do and this salad is good for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. That is hard to find in a green salad.

Arglebargle

This is the best salad in the world. It is PERFECT as written but when no plums are in season I use Honeycrisp apples sliced very thin, like 2 of them. I also sub pepitas for the sunflower seeds if I’m out. So good, and leftovers are great too!

xtraspice

So delicious. Easy, healthy, and delicious. Kale from the garden and Italian plums from the tree. I used dried dates and pumpkin seeds as that’s what I had on hand. Will make this again.

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