Winter Citrus Salad
Before I started shopping for my produce at the farmer’s market, I really didn’t know which fruits and vegetables belonged to which season. Now that I’m a little more familiar and shop with seasons in mind, I love making fresh salads like this winter citrus salad.
Winter Citrus Salad
In the past, I was pretty clueless when it came to choosing the best produce for the season. It wasn’t until I bought a particularly sweet and wonderful batch of oranges during one winter day at the farmer’s market that I realized there was a difference.
In California, it’s easy to forget that fruits and veggies have their own time and place since everything tends to be grown year-round.
However, there are definitely fruits and vegetables that have heightened flavor and quality during certain times of the year, and this includes the oranges and spinach I used to create this winter citrus salad.
In France, shopping at the farmer’s market is not an experience reserved solely for the health-conscious kale-junkie like it is often thought to be here in the States.
The French turn to their weekly farmer’s markets for the best poultry, meats, produce, cheese, and flowers that you can find (just read about it here). The farmer’s market also ensures that the French are always eating the best that the season has to offer.
This winter citrus salad utilizes fresh spinach, which is often at its peak in the winter in regards to taste and nutrients. The spinach is tossed in an orange-flavored vinaigrette that transforms the dark greens into a delectable salad.
Farm-fresh oranges really make this salad a winner. Used both in the vinaigrette and the actual salad, the winter oranges lend sweetness and tang, which compliment the leafy greens beautifully.
For some added texture, I added some chopped almonds, along with some parmesan shavings for a little bit of added saltiness.
This winter citrus salad is such an easy salad to whip up, and it’s the perfect appetizer or light lunch to enjoy all season long.
Winter Citrus Salad
Fresh spinach tossed with sweet oranges and chopped almonds, then dressed in an orange-dijon vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp freshly squeeze orange juice
- 1/4 tsp Dijon mustard
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 orange
- 1.5 cup spinach, washed and packed
- 1 tbsp chopped almonds, or sliced, slivered, etc.
- parmesan shavings to garnish
Instructions
- Prepare your orange by cutting off a sliver from both ends of the orange. Then place the orange standing up on one of its ends and use your knife to cut the peel off the orange from top to bottom, eventually making your way all around the orange. Make sure to cut the white parts (the pith) with the peel as well. Then place the orange back on its side and cut into slices.
- Whisk the olive oil, red wine vinegar, orange juice, Dijon, and a small pinch of salt and pepper together in a small bowl.
- Toss the spinach leaves with the vinaigrette, then garnish with the orange slices, chopped almonds, and parmesan shavings.
Notes
To obtain the freshly squeeze orange juice for the vinaigrette, I merely used squeezed some of the orange flesh that had been cut off with the peel when I was preparing the orange.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1 ServingsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 340
Hi–I’m planning a week in Southern France with a girlfriend of mine and we’d like to make alot of meals at our rental to save money. What other produce/recipes would you recommend for Southern France in January?
Hi Suzanne! Sounds so lovely! I would look for quince in the markets and make a coq au vin with quince (such as this recipe). You could also make your own duck a la orange using winter oranges (such as this recipe). Seafood is always lovely in the winter (these mussels are a favorite). It’s also the perfect time for some fresh dover sole (this lemon butter recipe is delish!). While it won’t be tomato season, there’s bound to be plenty of sun-dried tomatoes there, so I’d recommend making a French omelette with it or a pasta recipe like this, with spinach mixed in and chicken being optional.
Hope this helps! Hope you have the best time <3
It makes all the difference to eat seasonally! The French do it so well, the USA, not so much. 🙂 This is one of my absolute favorite salads – it’s like a burst of sunshine in winter. I’ve always loved that winter is the season for citrus – it almost seems like a summer fruit, but winter is when we need it most. Gorgeous as usual, my sweet friend.
I 100% agree, Marissa! Before I started cooking, I always thought oranges were a summer fruit exactly because they do feel like a burst of sunshine! But it’s lovely that they’re a winter fruit because, like you said, we need that sunshine in the winter more than the summer! 😀 Thanks so much, love XO
The key to seasonal fruit and vegetables in the UK is linked to the price 🙂 anything that is on special offer or buy one get one free is usually in season. This salad looks delicious, I love fennel and orange salad too, it’s a fantastic combination.
Thanks, Angela! And it’s the same way here with produce that’s not in season being very expensive. I love your idea of fennel and orange – very delish!!
What a beautiful fresh salad! I love having salads all year round Beeta, this looks lovely!
Thank you so much, Jess!! <3
J’aime beaucoup ta salade, elle est totalement de cette saison et sa couleur me ravie !
Merci Eva!! Xoxo
Ohhhhhh, how I wish I could move to France and raise my little ones there instead of in the states. Although we live in a good state for food and local produce (Maine), France would be better!
This salad looks so yummy. There have been a lot of yummy citrus fruits at Whole Foods and are local market- Dijon and freshly squeezed orange juice sounds like a really delicious combination 🙂 I’ll give this a try for lunch one afternoon!
Right?? It would be such a dream to live off French produce <3 I’ve never been to Maine but it’s a state I’ve been eager to visit! Whole Foods usually brings in some great produce so you should have no problem finding fresh ingredients. I hope you enjoy this salad!! Xo
Oh this salad is absolutely gorgeous. In our wintertime oranges and mandarins are at the height of their deliciousness too. This summer that I’ve been trying to incorporate seasonal fruit into my diet on a daily basis.. and discovered how delicious a good, fresh, ripe peach really can be. I love going to the markets but am rarely up early enough to beat the crowds :(!
Ooh I am longing for warm summer days and all the fresh peaches that come with it!! I am all for your new resolution! <3