Kiwi: properties, benefits and contraindications in the kitchen. Cookbook and explanation.

The Kiwi is an exotic fruit rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants essential for a healthy diet. This fruit, however, has countless and varied uses also at home and in the kitchen, let's discover them together!

What is Kiwi and what is its origin?

The Kiwi it is a fruit originally from China, then imported to New Zealand from which it learned the common name of a bird, due to its rounded and velvety appearance. 

In the 70s this fruit also arrived in Italy as an autumn food given its harvest in the months of October-December, consisting of 80% of water and 11% of carbohydrates. 

According to its nutritional values, this fruit contains a lot of vitamin C so that you can only eat one to satisfy the amount of vitamin that each person should take. per day. Its properties also have a very low calorie content, therefore the Kiwi is nicknamed the fruit of health! 

Health benefits and contraindications

The Kiwi thanks to its rich content of vitamin C it helps prevent flu by strengthening the immune system, also helping to lower bad cholesterol levels and regulating blood pressure, thus preventing hypertension. 

This fruit is a good ally for cramps thanks to its levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and potassium which represent an excellent mix of mineral supplement.

The properties of the Kiwi are many that summarized give rise to 5 powerful varieties:

• anti flu, 
• antioxidant, 
• natural laxative, 
• heart-saver, 
• nutrient in pregnancy. 

The side effects of this fruit are not clear as there are no strong contraindications, if not linked to intolerances and allergies that can cause itching.
But, in this case the peel is always removed to avoid running into chemicals that may have damaged the fruit. 

In general to choose a good one Kiwi, the peel must be uniform in both color and consistency, and the pulp must be firm but at the same time soft. 

Kiwi in the kitchen

As we can already understand from its properties, the Kiwi it is a very versatile and good fruit both when consumed alone and in some recipes, sweet or savory. 

For the type of sweet recipes it is appropriate to use this fruit for sorbets, smoothies, juices, preserves but also for the base of cakes. Otherwise, if you are tired of the usual traditional sauces, it is possible to make a Kiwi Mayonnaise, or a salad with radicchio or a dressing for a meat base. 

The mayonnaise, for example, can be made by accompanying the basil leaves with pieces of Kiwi, oil and salt to blend everything together with a vertical movement from top to bottom. Ideal for fish dishes, fillings or white meat. 

On the basis of the latter a sauce based on Kiwi it can be optimal if combined with a dish of turkey meat, where the fruit is cut and sautéed with sage, oil and breast of meat in pieces. 

After having browned it for about 10 minutes, the dish can be served hot with the garnish of other small cubes of Kiwi.