Tasty Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cup of diced apples (preferably Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1 cup of diced pears (Bartlett or Anjou)
• 1 cup of seedless grapes, halved
• 1 cup of mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 cup of pomegranate seeds
• 1 cup of diced kiwi
• 1/4 cup of honey
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon of fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1/2 cup of yogurt (Greek or regular)

Instructions

1. Begin by thoroughly washing all your fruits to remove any pesticides or residues. Peel and dice the apples, pears, and kiwi into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are of uniform size for even mixing. Halve the grapes, and if using fresh pomegranate, remove the seeds carefully.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced apples, pears, grapes, mandarin oranges, pomegranate seeds, and kiwi. Gently toss the fruits together to ensure an even distribution.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined. If you are using fresh mint, add it to the dressing now.
4. Drizzle the dressing over the mixed fruits in the large bowl. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to gently fold the dressing into the fruit, ensuring each piece is coated without mashing the fruit.
5. If desired, sprinkle the chopped walnuts or pecans over the salad for an added crunch. If you're opting for a yogurt dressing, serve a dollop of yogurt on the side or mix it in.
6. Cover the fruit salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.