Orange Salad

Name: Orange Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: Oranges Tarocco 2.6 lbs; Red onions 2.8 oz; Black olives 3.9 oz; Basil 3 leaves; Extra virgin olive oil 2.8 tbsp; Black pepper to taste; Fine salt to taste

it de fr es br

215

Calories per serving

Gluten Free
Lactose Free
Vegetarian
Vegan

Energy Kcal 215
Carbohydrates g 20.3
of which sugars g 20.3
Protein g 2.2
Fats g 13.9
of which saturated fat g 2
Fiber g 5.4
Sodium mg 317

Difficulty: Very easy
Prep time: 20 min
Serving: 4
Cost: Very low
Note + soaking time for the onion (10-15 min)

PRESENTATION

When you think of Sicilian cuisine, orange salad is a must-try dish. For sure. It really captures the core of the region's colorful flavors. I mean, Sicily is renowned for its sweet, juicy oranges, right? This refreshing combo of sliced oranges, bold red onions, fresh basil, and briny black olives—super tasty—hits just right. This citrus salad strikes a perfect balance between tangy and crisp flavors, making it way, way more intriguing than your usual fruit salad.

Traditionally served during holiday meals, it’s kinda like Naples' insalata di rinforzo and brings a burst of Mediterranean vibes to the table. If you prefer, you can swap fennel for onions, which is great for keeping that tender and light feel, so it pretty much caters to all tastes.

What sets this orange salad apart is its versatility. Works great! It pairs beautifully with a hearty roast at a winter dinner or complements grilled fish in the summer. In Sicily, locals love experimenting with different types of oranges, like navel or even blood oranges. Seriously good. Adding a deeper color and a juicy finish.

The olives provide a subtle salty touch, while the basil gives a fresh, green pop—ensuring each bite is bright yet not too sharp. A drizzle of olive oil acts like a simple citrus vinaigrette, perfectly blending the flavors together. And the surprise? It’s how well these ingredients harmonize, making it an ideal choice when you're after an easy salad recipe that stands out.

Its vivid appearance on the table is a feast for the eyes—really! Adding that special touch you don't get from typical citrus salads. This classic dish might just change your perspective on winter salads, showing why it is beloved in Sicilian culinary tradition. Whether it's a festive occasion or a casual dinner, this orange salad is a great addition that really brings the core of Sicily to your plate. And look, you can’t go wrong with that.

How to prepare Orange Salad

To prepare the orange salad, first clean the red onion: cut it in half lengthwise and remove the central green sprout, if present 1; slice the onion into julienne strips 2, then soak them in cold water for at least 10-15 minutes to sweeten the flavor 3.

Meanwhile, peel the oranges to the flesh: start by removing the top and bottom ends of the orange 4, then place the base on a cutting board and cut the peel with a knife from top to bottom, being careful to remove the white pith as well, which has a bitter taste 5. Once all the peel is removed, separate the individual segments by cutting between the pulp and the membrane that divides the segments 6.

Finally, take the black olives and remove the pits using the appropriate tool 7; if you don't have a pitter, you can get already pitted olives. Now that all the ingredients are ready, you can move on to the dressing: pour the extra virgin olive oil into a small bowl 8, salt and pepper to taste and whisk with a flat spring whisk or a fork 9.

Now you can assemble your salad: take a large bowl and add the peeled orange segments 10, the slices of onion, which you will have drained and dried well 11, and the pitted olives 12;

pour the dressing into the bowl 13 and mix well 14. Finally, garnish with the basil leaves, roughly torn by hand, and serve your delicious orange salad 15!

Storage

The orange salad can be stored in the refrigerator for one day in an airtight container. Freezing is not recommended.

Advice

For this recipe, you can use different varieties of oranges depending on the season: in the spring months, for example, choose Belladonna oranges with juicy blonde flesh and few seeds, or in winter, Tarocco oranges, which are excellent for eating.

To add an extra touch of freshness, try garnishing the orange salad with a few mint leaves... it will be an even more delightful vegetarian Christmas dish!

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.

Orange Salad

PRESENTATION

How to prepare Orange Salad

Storage

Advice

RELATED RECIPES