Late winter yields some of nature’s way to add some sunshine and uplifting flavors into a typically dreary and overcast part of the year, citrus! When citrus season hits its peak, there is nothing more uplifting and nourishing than a bowl of jewel toned slices of orange, grapefruit and tangerine. This Citrus Celebration Salad is a vibrant tribute to winter’s brightest flavors. This is less of a salad and more of a showcase of the sweet, tart and impossibly refreshing flavors of late winter.

For this recipe, choose a variety of citrus with variants of color, flavor and tartness.

2 grapefruits

3 navel oranges

2 blood oranges

3 tangerines/cuties

2 cara cara oranges

Make a mint simple syrup:

½ cup sugar

½ cup water

Put sugar and water into a small pan and stir to make sure mixture is dissolved. Add mint into mixture off the heat and let cool with 1-2 branches of full mint leaves. (this mint simple syrup is also great in iced tea or lemonade.) Put aside to drizzle later on top of orange slices.

Peel your citrus, discarding the peel and delicately slice into ¼ inch rounds. 

Layer onto serving plate, drizzle with cooled mint simple syrup and garnish with fresh mint or basil and pomegranate arils. 

Serve like this or serve alongside a vanilla bean Greek yogurt to be topped with with mint simple syrup oranges and fresh mint.

Make it local by sourcing your fresh herbs and edible flowers with your favorite Alabama small farm like North Alabama’s 4G Farms, Howling Fresh Farm, or Short Creek Homestead.

For more delicious recipe ideas, follow Rachel at @rocketcitydietitian. 

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