My love for citrus coincides with Chinese new year traditions. I don’t know if other Chinese families are the same as mine, but Mama Lin decorates every inch of the household with citrus fruits for the new year festivities: oranges, clementines, kumquats, pomelos. I’d find an orange by the bedside, in the bookshelf, on top of the television, by the shoe rack, pretty much anywhere in our tiny house that Mama Lin felt could use an extra sprinkling of good luck and fortune. Chinese new year is usually the most festive time of the year for my family, and it always seems to coincide with citrus season (it’s February 19th this year, in case you’re wondering). That’s why when I start seeing those bright orange and yellow globes prominently displayed around the grocery stores, I know that red envelope time is just around the corner and all the warm and fuzzy feelings that go along with it. Mama Lin would never think of sticking sliced oranges into an oven, but I might fix up a couple of these for her soon. If you’ve never roasted oranges before, this is the perfect place to start. The roasted orange slices add a light malty sweetness to salads that you don’t find with other fruits. I know, orange and malt? It’s a thing, and you’ll want to try it. As for the orange rind, eat it! Just make sure you slice those oranges thinly so that the rind can crisp up in the oven. Of course, I won’t judge if you decide to skip it. Looking for more salads? Try these: Spinach Salad with Toasted Pita & Hazelnuts
Kale Persimmon Salad with Chickpea Croutons
Miso Curry Kale & Delicata Salad
