Mexican Christmas Salad
Ensalada de Navidad
Share this Recipe
Salads are a lot more popular in Mexico than many people realize. Part of the confusion is linguistic; the Spanish word ensalada is largely used in reference to vegetable dishes containing lettuce. Plenty of other vegetable based dishes are made, but the word ensalada doesn't get used as often. While that's part of the issue (and obviously not the entire issue, since I'm showing you a Mexican salad that clearly lacks lettuce), another factor is simply what sells in the USA and Canada. Taco trucks sell. Salad trucks don't.
Fortunately, Mexico is blessed with some truly spectacular produce, so putting together a stunning salad is not too difficult. Around Christmas time (either Christmas Day or Christmas Eve depending on the tradition), it's common to put together a bright, colourful salad made with typically wintery produce. Citrus tends to feature prominently, but the variations are endless. I was inspired to use beets and candied nuts based on a version by Pati Jinich (who I seriously need to buy a cup of coffee for, because her books totally made my month), though this version departs pretty heavily from hers.
Now, as for this salad... isn't it pretty? I mean come on! I don't normally use language like that to describe my food, but this felt like a bouquet on a plate. It's just so lavish looking! But the best thing about it is that it's actually wildly simple. The beets are raw (a spiralizer is fantastic, but you can prepare them other ways too), the citrus is simple, and the dressing is a snap. The candied pistachios are the only thing that takes any real effort, and even they're pretty simple. If you're unfamiliar with jicama, it's very easy to love. It's fantastic raw, with an earthy pear-like taste and a fantastic juicy/crunchy texture. For tips about using it (and more), check out the Recipe Notes below.
So don't wait for Christmas (unless, you know, it's Christmas when you read this, in which case... get going). Make this as soon as you can.
Recipe Notes
Most of the ingredients necessary to make this are fairly easy to find, though the specific oranges are fairly seasonal. If you struggle to find blood oranges and cara cara oranges, you can always substitute other oranges, or even other citrus varieties.
Jicama
Jicama is a large, round root with a papery brown skin. It's increasingly common in conventional grocery stores, so you should be able to find one without too much struggle. If you have trouble, they are often found in Latin American and Asian grocery stores. Choose a small-to-moderate sized jicama (large ones are often overly fibrous), and make sure to cut away the skin and a bit of the flesh beneath it to get to the more tender part of the root. Ideally, your jicama should be a creamy ivory colour throughout; pale brown flesh will be sour and soft. Even if you do get a less-than-ideal jicama, cut through the center to see if the flesh in the middle is salvageable.
Citrus
Blood oranges and cara cara oranges contribute intensity of flavour and remarkable colour to this salad, but you could easily substitute other oranges, mandarin slices, or even grapefruit. Use your imagination.
Beets
Raw beets might sound a bit odd, but when finely shredded or sliced, they make a fantastic salad, with a unique earthy sweetness. If you find the taste of red beets too intense, you could try using golden beets instead (though obviously the visual impact of the salad will change).
Pistachios
It's not difficult to candy nuts, so don't be intimidated if you've never done it before. Make sure you keep an eye on your sugar, as it goes from perfectly caramelized to burnt mess pretty quickly.
You could easily swap out the pistachios for peanuts, pecans, or another nut of your choosing.
Nutritional information is given for a single serving (1/6th total recipe).
Nutritional Summary
Ingredient Pages
No ingredient pages have been written yet for any of the ingredients in this recipe. Like to see one? Let me know in the comments below or by email.
Pantry Pages
No pantry pages have been written yet for any of the ingredients in this recipe. Like to see one? Let me know in the comments below or by email.
Mexican Christmas Salad
Ingredients
Candied Pistachios
- 1/3 cup sugar (130 g)
- 1 cup pistachios (shelled)
Salad
- 3 small blood oranges (~350 g)
- 2 large cara cara oranges (~700 g)
- 2 small beets (~100 g)
- 450 g jicama (about 1/2 medium jicama)
- 1 tbsp lime juice
Dressing
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp white vinegar
- 1/8 tsp ground coriander
- pinch ground cumin
Instructions
- Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat. Add the sugar and shake the pan to spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the surface with just enough water to give the sugar the consistency of wet sand. Heat the sugar until it bubbles and begins to turn a very pale caramel colour. Add the pistachios to the pan and stir to cover with the melted sugar. Spread the candied pistachios out and allow them cool (try to separate them as much as possible). Once the pistachios have set you can break them apart by hand or chop them coarsely.
- Peel the jicama and cut it into small batons. Place the jicama pieces in a bowl and toss with the lime juice.
- Peel the beets and cut off the tops of the beets. To obtain the thin ribbons seen in the photo, use a spiralizer to cut the beets. If you don't have a spiralizer, you can use a mandoline or very sharp knife to cut very thin slices. Set the finished beets aside (don't combine them with the jicama or they will dye them red).
- To prepare the oranges, cut off the ends and slicing the peels off, trying to leave as much of the flesh intact as possible. Slice the oranges into thin rounds. Alternately, you can cut the oranges into supremes by slicing the segments out from the membranes surrounding them.
- Combine all of the dressing ingredients and whisk together. Set aside.
- Arrange the orange slices on a plate, add jicama and a handful of shredded beets, then top with dressing. Sprinkle with candied pistachios and serve immediately.
Nutrition
More Mexican Recipes
Mezcalita del Ocaso
Spot Prawn Enchiladas
Pambazos con Huevos
Instant Pot Brisket & Pasilla-Morita Adobo
Instant Pot Carnitas con Queso
Pressure Cooker Puerco Pibil
Share this Recipe
Comments
The colours, the balance of flavour, the promise of the beets’ sweetness and the citrus’ acidity… All that add up to make this a perfect winter salad. If only oranges were in season now… As it is, I just have to pin for future use – maybe around Christmas time!
Thanks Ksenia! I really love how this came together – both in terms of the taste and the look. I was fortunate that a local market had some citrus a little late into the season, so I was able to stockpile a little bit for later use – but you’re absolutely right, this is something to look forward to in the heart of winter!
Oh that dressing! I can imagine that would go well on an entire slew of fresh fruit and veggie dishes!
As always you are producing knock-your-socks-off dishes with images that inspire! Keep it up and I am excited to see (and taste) what June has in store!!
Thanks Amanda! I love the dressing – it’s just such a snap to put together, and it works equally well with the beets, the jicama, and the citrus! I’m glad that you’re still enjoying the site so much. Thanks so much for commenting – and stay tuned for June (hint: more Mexican – hahaha).
oh yum! Great photography!
Thanks Charlotte!
Well now. That salad LOOKS divine and with all those flavours merging, I’m sure it TASTES divine too. This is a great idea for a mid winter Canadian salad, thank you Mexico!
Thanks Bernice! And I know what you mean – it may be Mexican, but this just screams “happy food for Canadians who wish winter was over” to me!
What?! This looks and sounds so good! I must make it this winter!
Oh man, this recipe is speaking to me. I love the short and simple ingredient list with flavors that complement each other perfectly. I want this in front of me so I can stare at it for 90 seconds, then devour it.