Loaded with flavors and textures, this Kumquat Salad is irresistible. Crunchy lettuce and pistachios, buttery avocado, creamy feta and tangy kumquats all tossed in an orange and honey vinaigrette.
We celebrated Christmas this year with my mom and stepdad in California. Though Keith and I grew up in California, we've lived in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 20 years now and the winters in California are not what they are in Bend, Oregon.
The day I took this picture of the laden kumquat tree in my parents' backyard, it was the 23rd of December and 75 degrees.
We came home to zero degrees and snow. And I wouldn't have it any other way!
So about this salad, kumquats are the star. Have you eaten one before? They are tiny, oblong fruits that you can pop into your mouth, peel and all, for a burst of citrus refreshment. Or, as I've done here, you can slice them to toss into a salad. It's not just about their own flavor, but how they accentuate all of the flavors around them.
If you can't find kumquats, swap in orange or tangerine slices or supremes. (Not the band, but the sections without skin or pith - here's a video on how to make them.) And if you're looking for a delicious pair for this salad, Tomato Bisque is perfect!
Kumquat Avocado and Pistachio Salad with Orange Honey Vinaigrette
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup fresh orange juice juice of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon champagne vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
For the salad:
- ½ head romaine lettuce cored and thinly sliced
- 1 avocado peel and seed removed, thinly sliced
- 6 kumquats thinly sliced
- ¼ cup roasted salted pistachios
- 2 ounces feta crumbled
Instructions
To make the dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together orange juice, vinegar and honey. Slowly drizzle in olive oil, whisking constantly. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
To assemble salads:
- In a large bowl, toss lettuce with dressing. Divide between 2 salad bowls. Top each bowl with half of remaining ingredients and serve.
This was really delicious. Wonderful combination of tastes and textures and a great way to use up some of my bountiful crop of cumquats (Melbourne, Australia). I used ruby grapefruit juice instead of orange just because it was available. I did feel that the feta overpowered the subtle pistachio flavour so next time I will try with much less or no feta. Thank you for this wonderful recipe.
So glad you enjoyed the salad, Laura!
I have been looking for a good salad with kumquats for a long time. We have a small tree in a big white planter and this year it is full of fruit. I plan to try it asap and I will have it for lunch with my good friends. I live in So. California, of course.
That's wonderful, Shirley! We just got back from a visit to my parents house in California and I was so bummed because their kumquat tree was loaded, but the fruit was not quite ripe. You're a lucky lady! 🙂 Hope you and your friends enjoy...
Yum! This flavor combination sounds amazing!
Thanks, Trish!
What?! I think we had the same December 23rd. Seriously - my husband came in from working on a Christmas gift for my mom in my parents' backyard and asked, "do you have a kumquat tree back there?!" Apparently she'd forgotten about it and now we've got a whole basket full of kumquats! I'm sending this one over to my kumquat-obsessed husband who will love all the flavors of this salad!
I love it, Sarah!! If you guys try it, I'd love to hear what you think...
My husband and I also spent Christmas in a warm part of the country this year - we visited my parents in FL. My husband kept saying 'it feels so weird to wearing shorts this time of year'! I must say, I had to agree with him 🙂
That's so cool that your parents have a kumquat tree! This salad looks so yummy! I love all of the flavors you've got going on here and the dressing sounds amazing (Iove tangy vinaigrettes with a touch of sweetness) - so making this!
It feels odd to me too - warm weather at Christmas. There are several blogs I follow in Australia and I always think, wow, It's Christmas and they're in the middle of summer! It's all good I suppose. 🙂
Thanks for your kind words about the salad - if you give it a try, I'd love to hear what you think.
I need to get my hands on some kumquats for sure - this salad sounds so refreshing! I also need to get my hands on some 75 degree weather in January!! 🙂
Right? When it's 50 degrees in our town in January, it feels like a heat wave! 🙂
I feel the same way about holidays and vacation - I love them, but by the time they're over I am longing to return back to my routine! 🙂
This salad is lovely - what a great use for kumquats!
Exactly! Nice to have a break...nice to get back.
Wow! You got the best of both seasons for Christmas, Marissa! I so want that!! 🙂 This salad is a killer salad - I can totally envision having this - it looks amazing!
Thanks, Kristi!
What a gorgeous salad! Love how it's a celebration of citrus. I have to admit, I've never tried kumquats but I think this is the year.
Thanks Joanne! Yes, you've got to try them - so good!
What a lovely salad and yes, I love kumquats too! I really enjoyed these photos.
Thank you, Maureen!
This looks so light and delicious! Need to hunt down some of these Kumquats... I love your California to Bend, Oregon pics, what a contrast. San Diego was a warm Christmas for us, but it was fun going up to Portland for Thanksgiving with family to see seasonal weather. 🙂
Thanks, Kevin. Yes, what a contrast! I'm all about distinct seasons, but I do enjoy the couple of warm days we usually get when visiting California in the winter.
Such a gorgeous, vibrant salad! I love kumquats and I'm all about the pistachio crunch factor!
Thank you, Sonali!
Out with the heavy foods, in with the salads. And yours, oh my, looks delicious! I love every single ingredient so might do this later today for a dinner treat. Thanks for sharing!
Agreed! And, you're welcome. 🙂
I absolutely love the sound of this dressing Marissa! I can see it working with so many types of salad 😀
It really would, Lorraine. I was also thinking of adding a little fresh mint to it...
I just bought a container of kumquats even though I'd never even tried them. I'm definitely putting them on salads - this looks great!
That's perfect, Amanda! Can't wait to hear what you think of them...
Hooray! Bright and tangy citrus sounds so good for a winter salad. And I even know where to find a kumquat tree in our neighborhood. Maybe I will go and ask to trade some for our oranges! 🙂
Do it, Eileen! I'm sure they'll be happy to swap a little citrus with you. 😉