Sweet and seedless with shiny orange skin, the Sharon fruit is starting to enjoy a little more attention these days. South Africa is the only country in the southern hemisphere to grow this unique type of persimmon, which loves the climate of our south-western regions. Sharon fruit is harvested from mid-April until the end of May and is available until August.

Eaten like an apple when it is firm, or a tomato when it is ripe, this fruit is very versatile. It can be chopped up – with or without skin – and added to salads, served with yoghurt or ice cream for dessert, or sliced up into stir-fries.

Sharon fruit is very rich in vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin C and is recommended for its anti-oxidant and cholesterol-lowering properties. It is also packed with carotenoids (the phyto-chemicals that give certain fruit and vegetables their orange, yellow and red colour), which are known for their positive effect on lowering the risk of heart disease and certain cancers.

Try these quick ideas:

• Sharon fruit is perfect for fruit salad in winter. Slice it into wedges and combine with chopped apple, chopped almonds and pomegranate rubies. Drizzle with a mixture of lemon and mandarin juice. Alternatively, leave out the juice and serve with double-thick Greek yoghurt and honey.
• Make a salsa to serve with fish by combining finely chopped Sharon fruit, onion, cucumber, tomato and coriander, with olive oil, white grape vinegar, salt and sugar.
• Add some interest to a couscous salad by mixing finely sliced Sharon fruit, finely chopped onion, cucumber and tomatoes, and a handful of fresh coriander and mint to cooked couscous. Season generously.
• Make a quick salad by combining toasted hazelnuts, strips of Sharon fruit and rocket. Drizzle with a mixture of hazelnut or olive oil, salt, vinegar, Dijon mustard and ground black pepper.
• Sharon fruit can be used to make jam.
• It makes great chutney, too. Use your normal recipe (i.e. a combination of onion, vinegar, sugar, spices etc.) and cook until mixture thickens. Add the roughly chopped Sharon fruit five minutes before the end.