Kale and squash blossom-stuffed cheesy quesadillas get topped with a fresh and fruity strawberry kiwi salsa to make a perfect sweet and savory bite.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Zespri Kiwifruit! However, as always, all my thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep me inspired in the kitchen.
quesadillas with strawberry kiwi salsa

So, about my brush with death last week.

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Apparently in this world, there are the kind of people who avoid the possibility of imminent danger at all costs.

And then there are the kind of people who eat kiwis with reckless abandon even though there is a very real possibility that their fairly minor childhood allergy to these most perfect of fruits might have escalated in the past fifteen years to anaphylactic shock-like levels.

While huddling in a corner in fetal position whenever anyone sets off fireworks outside because loud noises scare her.

I’ll let you guess which one I am.

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But DON’T WORRY, because on my way to Zespri’s exclusive kiwifruit tasting event, I made sure to take note of the fact there was an urgent care center less than a block away.

The kind that has epi-pens inside.

Just in case.

Really, we’re going to laugh about this someday.

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Although, to be fair, if I had gone into anaphylactic shock after that first bite of Zespri’s SunGold kiwis?

It would have been worth it.

Because, YUM.

It was mostly sweet with just a hint of tart and ALL THE JUICINESS in every bite.

And I am thanking all the heavens above that I have somehow miraculously outgrown my allergies, not just because I got to avoid a trip to a sketchy medical center in the West Village, but also because now I can eat all the kiwis I missed out on over the past 27 years!!

Life is good.

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So, you might be wondering what makes Zespri SunGold kiwifruits so much better than your average green kiwi, and while they are both totally delicious in most every way, they are also pretty different.

Where green kiwis are hairy on the outside, SunGolds have a smooth skin that is totally amenable to eating out of hand.

Where green kiwis are occasionally so tart they make your mouth pucker when you eat them, SunGolds taste like nature’s candy.

Where green kiwis are green, SunGolds are gold.

That being said, both varieties are extremely good for you, with a serving of kiwis (about 2 medium fruits) coming in at around 100 calories and containing MORE vitamin C than an orange and MORE potassium than a banana.

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Well, color me kiwi-obsessed.

Since that fateful day last week, I’ve been eating kiwis on the regular and trying to inject them into just about every meal that I can without the.boy having me committed. This past Friday, I snuck them into dinner in strawberry kiwi salsa form, and I can promise you that our Tex-Mex nights are never going to be the same again.

Mainly because they will forever be smothered in this fruity sweet spicy mix that barely even requires quesadillas – just a spoon and a mouth to shove it into.

As much as I would be okay with inhaling a huge bowl of fruity-liciousness and calling it dinner, the.boy requires something a little more substantial. So clean-out-the-fridge quesadilla night it was! I stuffed my ‘dillas with a big bunch of sauteed kale, squash blossoms that had found their way into my fridge, and gratuitous handfuls of melty cheese. However, you can feel free to stuff them as your heart desires.

So long as you strawberry kiwi salsa them. (<–non-negotiable)

To find out more about Zespri kiwifruit, check out their website and their facebook page! Zespri SunGold kiwis should be available in your local produce section, but if you can’t find them than make sure to ask your store manager about them so they can start stocking them! To see which stores carry them in your area, check out Zespri’s store locator

Squash Blossom and Kale Quesadillas with Strawberry Kiwi Salsa
 
Kale and squash blossom-stuffed cheesy quesadillas get topped with a fresh and fruity strawberry kiwi salsa to make a perfect sweet and savory bite.
Yield: 4-8 servings
Ingredients
For the salsa
  • 1 lb strawberries, hulled and coarsely chopped
  • 4 SunGold kiwifruit, skinned and coarsely chopped
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
For the quesadillas
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 bunch of kale, stems removed and leaves coarsely chopped
  • 8 squash blossoms, thinly sliced
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 16 corn tortillas
  • 4 oz grated oaxaca cheese or mozzarella
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, toss together the strawberries, kiwifruit, and jalapenos. Set aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the kale and squash blossoms, sauteing until wilted and tender. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
  3. Divide the kale filling among half of the corn tortillas. Top with the cheese and a second corn tortilla. Heat a small nonstick skillet. Put a filled quesadilla on the pan and heat for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining quesadillas. Serve topped with fruit salsa.
Notes
An Eats Well With Others Original
Nutrition Information
Serving size: 2 quesadillas

For more party-in-your-mouth Mexican meals, check out these:

black bean and salsa quesadillas

Black Bean and Salsa Quesadillas

curried spinach and zucchini quesadillas

Curried Spinach and Zucchini Quesadillas

tacos with corn and zucchini-radish slaw

Tacos with Corn and Zucchini Radish Slaw

From Around the Web:

Black Bean, Corn, and Quinoa Picadillo Tacos from Closet Cooking

Roasted Veg Tacos with Avocado Cream and Feta from Naturally Ella

Smashed Garbanzo Breakfast Quesadillas from Scarletta Bakes

Caramelized Pineapple Quesadillas from How Sweet Eats

Apricot Salsa Quesadillas from Top With Cinnamon

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45 Responses to Squash Blossom and Kale Quesadillas with Strawberry Kiwi Salsa

  1. I’m so intrigued by these kiwis, I need to find them! I also now have a huge quesadilla craving…

  2. huh, I totally just learned something about you. Glad you’re alive!! AND!!!!! you founf squash blossoms! woot 🙂

  3. Like Lauren said, I am totally intrigued by these kiwis. I will try to find them because I need to try it as soon as possible. Great recipe! My mouth is watering. Have a wonderful day, my dear 😉

  4. Yum ! This sounds so good ! We just love the zucchini flowers this time of year and adding them to your ‘dillas sounds wonderful. Nice idea Joanne.

  5. Love those beautiful squash blossoms! I could probably eat this all day long! Love the combination of kiwi, strawberries and kale!

  6. So glad you didn’t have to use your epi pen! Can you believe I have never done anything with squash blossoms other than stuff them with cheese? This sounds great!

  7. Von says:

    Sucks that you’re allergic to something that you love so much! 🙁 I love golden kiwis- they always taste so good (unlike the green ones which are sometimes way too sour!). Your quesadillas look amazing! Love the addition of the strawberry kiwi salsa – sounds like an awesome combination!

  8. MMm squash blossoms! The strawberry kiwi salsa sounds good enough for dessert! Well, minus the jalapeno of course. Good thing you can eat kiwis now!

  9. Roz says:

    Now I need to find these special kiwi’s in the market! Love that you used squash blossoms in your ‘dills . . . I’m mad about that!
    Roz

  10. I don’t think Ive ever ever come across a squash blossom quesadilla – Joanne you are a genius – and this salsa – woa, what a wonderful accompaniment to a savory quesadilla!

  11. Heather says:

    This sounds really intriguing and good. Now if I can only find those kiwis! I might actually have the squash blossoms in my backyard if they’re still good!

  12. Yikes! I only know one other person who is allergic to kiwi. So strange how it is possible to be allergic to just about anything. Glad you didn’t die but these look worth the risk.

  13. I am thinking that everything about these quesadillas is good for me ;). Dying over the flavor combo you’ve got going on here. I don’t think I can ever go back to regular quesadillas after seeing these. Swoon!

  14. Pam says:

    You sure live on the edge lady! The quesadilla and salsa look like the perfect summer meal. Delicious!

  15. Not gonna lie, definitely not as adventurous as you when it comes to potential bodily harm. However I love kiwis and kale and have always wanted to try squash blossoms, so yum!

  16. I initially thought the squash blossoms were the gold kiwis and really had great sympathy for the hairy brown kiwi variety – what a contrast in looks that would have been! I did figure it out (and the squash blossoms are themselves beautiful!) but am still intrigued by the idea of a hair-free kiwi. I am also in love with the look and sound of this dish.

  17. SO creative Joanne! I ADORE the salsa!

  18. I would have never thought of using kale and squash blossoms in quesadillas. This looks terrific!

  19. Kate says:

    Is it my imagination or were you having trouble finding squash blossoms? Those ones look spectacular!

  20. Kelly says:

    So glad you are friends with kiwis now because you are totally rocking all these kiwi recipes! That salsa sounds amazing and I love that you stuffed the quesadillas with squash blossoms and kale. My mom’s garden is full of both that my dad won’t touch so she has been sending me home with a ton that I keep looking for new ways to use up so these quesadillas are happening soon – pinning 🙂

  21. Monica says:

    I remember when my son was real little and my sister would bring him these golden kiwis to eat. We’d just scoop them out and he would devour them. Haven’t had them in so long – they’re hard to find. Now you’ve inspired me to look for them. : )

  22. Joyti says:

    Yum! There really aren’t enough recipes involving squash blossoms (and they’re so good). These look gorgeous – and that strawberry-kiwi salsa is so pretty and sounds so bright.

    Oh, and ummm, be careful out there with your sensitivites/allergies.

  23. Hooray for not having a reaction to the kiwi. Time to make up for 27 years of being kiwi free 😀
    I am loving that salsa! I could eat that all by itself, but with those quesadillas I think I’d be in heaven!

  24. Oh dear. I’m just as bad as you in regards to denial about my food allergies. I mean, I’m allergic to mango’s and avocados for crying out loud! I carry Benydryl with me at all times 😉 Oh, sipping a Corona with eating guacamole helps too 😉
    Now, this is the most perfect quesadilla I have EVER seen!! Pinned and happening here soon!

  25. Eileen says:

    I feel you on the allergy front! Green kiwi skin makes my lips buzz dangerously, so I avoid it & rinse cut & peeled kiwi under the faucet before eating. But gold kiwi have always been fine! So maybe it’s not outgrowing allergies so much as the fact that different allergens are present in different types of kiwi. Or it could be both! What do I know? 🙂 Anyway, this salsa sounds wonderful! All the fruit in the land — so delicious.

  26. Oh my gosh I couldn’t LIVE without kiwis! You poor thing for having to go so long without ’em! And these quesadillas! Girl, that gorg salsa is SCREAMING my name. Gosh, I SO want this for Mexican dinner night tonight! 🙂

  27. I have never ever cooked with squash blossoms! These quesadillas looks so flavorful and that salsa! I am in.

  28. Where do you get squash blossoms? I’ve been seeing them everywhere in recipes but have yet to come across some…

  29. Oh my, you are a brave lady! I’m so glad nothing happened and now you can happily eat kiwis! I’ve always wanted to use squash blossoms, but have never been able to find them. I love all quesadillas and these are no exception! They sound amazing!

  30. I’ve never cooked with squash blossoms either, maybe it’s time to give this a shot!

  31. Johanna GGG says:

    Well given that we have been on a waiting list for allergy testing for over 9 months, this sounds like one way to deal with suspected allergies! Glad you were able to enjoy the kiwis at the tasting though I suspect you didn’t have anything as scrumptious as those ‘dillas – they look superb

  32. P says:

    I LOVE gold kiwis! I found them at a Korean market once, and absolutely fell in love with the flavor. They truly are nature’s candy 🙂

  33. cheri says:

    Hi Joann, love your fruit salsa, and the kale and squash blossom quesadilla sounds wonderful.

  34. Mmm gold kiwis are my absolute favourite! This salsa looks so delicious 😀

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  35. Kiwis are one of my favourite fruits. I’m inspired now to see if my allergy to lychee skins has cleared. Enjoy all the kiwi goodness you can 🙂

  36. Lynn says:

    So glad you did not have to succumb to kiwi related emergency visit! That boy is so lucky to be the recipient of your good clean out the fridge nights.

    Sorry I have missed so many posts – I’ve been away without internet access, but am slowly catching up. I just read them all though – love the bunny graham cracker on that ice cream. 🙂

  37. I need to get my hands on some of those kiwis! Love the sound of that strawberry kiwi salsa!

  38. Mary Frances says:

    No way?! Allergic to kiwi? I am so sorry Joanne! Thank you for risking life and limb to make and taste these for us! I’m still picking my jaw up off the floor because quesadillas with fruit salsa – um, YES please. Pinning!

  39. I’m glad you didn’t have an allergic reaction!!! I love with you did with kiwis in this recipe. And how gorgeous are those squash blossoms?! What a delicious and interesting meal!

  40. Dude. I remember you mentioning this. I get a massive stomach aches for hours after eating kiwis (and avocados), so I haven’t had one in years. Now I’m so tempted to try it. And, ya know, I do have Haley and Trevor’s epi-pen just in case.

  41. So seriously, you’ve just added to my try-bananas-again notion because I pine for them DAILY, and haven’t been able to eat them for the past two years. On a separate note, I saw kale in the title and went a bit too crazy, then scrolled down and saw strawberries and went into a daze…then decided to slow down and read, but yeah these quesadillas look AMAZING *rant over*.

  42. Katerina says:

    I love squash blossoms and these look so vibrant and delicious!

  43. this is great! such a summery feel to these quesadillas!

  44. Reeni says:

    A kiwi without the hairy skin that you can eat as is? I love that. And these squash flower quesadillas too! So unique and so good looking with that sweet and spicy salsa!

  45. Esi says:

    I LOVE kiwis and strawberries together. I can totally get on board with this quesadilla.

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