Sicilian Fennel and Orange Salad with Red Onion
This Sicilian Fennel and Orange Salad with Red Onion is a refreshing combination of crisp fennel, sweet oranges, and sharp red onion, all dressed in a zesty citrus vinaigrette.
Equipment
- Mandoline or sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Citrus juicer (optional)
- Small mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Salad bowl
Ingredients
- 2 medium Fennel bulbs thinly sliced
- 3 large Oranges peeled and segments cut out
- 1 small Red onion thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup Fresh mint leaves chopped
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives pitted and halved
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the fennel bulbs. Trim the fronds and any tough outer layers. Slice the bulbs very thinly, preferably using a mandoline for consistent thickness.
- Peel the oranges with a knife, removing all the white pith. Over a bowl to catch the juices, cut between the membranes to segment the oranges, and add the segments to a large salad bowl.
- Add the thinly sliced red onion to the bowl with the orange segments.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, red wine vinegar, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper to create the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the fennel, oranges, and red onion in the salad bowl. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients with the dressing.
- Sprinkle the chopped fresh mint leaves and Kalamata olives over the salad.
- Give the salad a final gentle toss to distribute the mint and olives evenly.
- Allow the salad to sit for about 5 minutes for the flavors to meld together before serving.
Notes
For the best flavor, use fresh, seasonal oranges.
If you're not a fan of raw onions, soak the sliced onions in a bowl of cold water for about 10 minutes to mellow their flavor before adding them to the salad.
The salad is best enjoyed fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours prior to serving.
Adjust the salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.