Kiwi Christmas Tree

I mean how pretty is that?! 

This is a simple fruit salad that celebrates the delicious and bright fruit of the season in the form of a Christmas tree! It’s so fun to play with ideas for different fruits to use.

The kiwi is a great base but after that, the options for ornaments, a star, and a tree trunk are completely up to you.

The image really doesn’t need much explaining when creating your own but some ideas to get you started:

• The ornaments: I used pomegranate seeds but raspberries, blueberries, and dive strawberries are great alternatives. You can can consider using dried goji berries or tapioca pearls too.
• The Star: I used a pineapple guava but how cool would a strawberry leaf, starfruit, or the inside of an apple–you know where the seeds kind of branch out into a star shape? OR oh my gosh, my mind is blown, a star anise!!! Darn, I wish that thought had come to me sooner. 😉
• The tree trunk: I used leftover vanilla bean stalks but anything textured and dark can work. If nothing comes to mind, save a few peels of the kiwi skin and use that as the trunk (fuzzy side up).

I can’t think of a better healthy alternative this season. And it doesn’t just have to be served as a dessert; think breakfast, fruit salad or side dish too. It’s just an nice and bright option after so many drinks, rich desserts, and heavy main dishes. For other holiday ideas, check out this Nutella Christmas Tree and Cardamom Bread Wreath. Or anything from this Holidays tab.

Kiwi Christmas Tree

A fresh, vitamin-c packed, kiwi Christmas tree that adds a healthy and bright option to your holiday table. It can be served along cheese plates, at a holiday brunch, or as a healthy dessert alternative after a rich meal.

• ~4 Ripe kiwi; skin removed (cut into 1/4 inch rounds)
• Handful Pomegranate seeds (or fresh berries)
• 1 Kiwi skin, brown side up for trunk (or vanilla bean stalks (or anything that looks like a trunk to you, maybe a wine cork?))
• 1 Star anise, guava, apple, or starfruit (or any fruit cut into a star shape to top the tree; using the center of an apple or a strawberry leaf would be a nice idea too.)

1. Peel and cut kiwi into horizontal rounds, about ¼ to ½ -inch thick. Save a few kiwi skin scraps to use as the tree trunk.

2. Arrange sliced kiwi on a large platter in the form of a Christmas tree, as picture. Decorate the kiwi with pomegranate seeds or other berry to reflect ornaments. (Raspberries, blueberries, or dried goji berries are nice options).

3. Place two kiwi skin scraps, skin-side-up, cut length-wise, side-by-side at the bottom of the tree to be the tree trunk. (In the picture, I used vanilla bean stalks that I had).

4. Place a piece of fruit, like a pineapple guava, or any fruit cut into a star shape to top the tree.

A Bee Bakes recipe.