Strawberry Kiwi Popsicles

I received free samples of Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Zespri Kiwifruit and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

By raise of hand who here is a kiwi lover? I love the sweet fruit with a bit of a tangy-ness to it, not to mention how beautiful they are when sliced open.  I don’t eat as much kiwi as I would like because, truth be told, I sometimes forget about the sweet, juicy little nuggets.  I was reminded of my love for them when I received an e-mail about the Recipe ReDux Zespri Kiwifruit recipe contest. However, I not only was reminded that I needed more kiwi in my life, but I also learned that I am missing out on a  new variety of kiwi: the SunGold Kiwifruit!  If you are also unfamiliar with the SunGold Kiwifruit, let me share some tidbits of info with you:

1. Not all kiwifruit is “fuzzy” on the outside.

The first noticeable difference from green kiwi is that Zespri SunGold kiwifruit have a smooth, hairless skin. Second noticeable difference: SunGold kiwi are yellow on the inside.  This was a fun surprise to me, as I am more familiar with the green kiwifruit variety with the fuzzy outer skin. Zespri SunGold kiwifruit do not disappoint on the flavor, delivering a tropical-sweet taste.

2. You don’t need to peel kiwifruit.

Think kiwifruit are hard to eat on the go? Think again! Kiwis are a great portable snack! In three easy steps you have a healthy snack when out and about. 1: Slice in half, 2: Scoop with a spoon, and 3: Enjoy! Done and done.

3. Kiwifruit can act as a meat tenderizer.

Both the traditional green and SunGold kiwifruit contain an enzyme called actinidin that helps break down protein. This enzyme is only in kiwifruit and improves digestive comfort by increasing the breakdown of proteins and facilitating digestion and emptying of the stomach. To use it as a meat tenderizer simply peel and mash a kiwifruit then spread over meat or make a kiwifruit marinade. Actinidin also breaks down protein in dairy so kiwi recipes that include dairy should be eaten immediately.

4. They are packed with nutrition.

One serving (2 kiwifruit) of SunGold has as much potassium as a medium banana and contains 3X more vitamin C than an orange. They are also a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E.

5. You can “measure” the taste of SunGold.

Zespri family growers use a measure called the brix to get the best tasting kiwifruit possible. The higher the brix, the sweeter the fruit. Not all kiwifruit brands put so much focus on this quality measure. With Zespri, you really can be assured you are getting the best quality kiwifruit and your proof is in the taste!

Strawberry Kiwi Popsicles

Now to the recipe! Did I mention there are only 2 ingredients? (I bet you can’t guess what they are…) 100% fruit and full of flavor and nutrition.  I love that I can feel good about giving these to my toddler as a snack. Using ripe kiwifruit and sweet strawberries will make for the best results.  If the strawberries are somewhat sour, it will make for a sour popsicle – so test them out before using them (unless you want sour popsicles!).