Jicama Pear And Grapefruit Salad
1 red grapefruit
3 or 4 ripe pears, cored and sliced thin
1 small jicama, peeled and julienned
¼ cup minced fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons (30 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice (from about 1 lime)
2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Cut the peel and the pith from the grapefruit. Slice along the membranes to release the grapefruit segments. Cut each segment into small bites.
- In a medium bowl, combine the pears, jicama, mint, lime juice, olive oil, salt and cayenne pepper and mix well. Fold in the grapefruit pieces.
VARIATIONS: Get creative with what you decide to use here. Blood oranges instead of grapefruit would make this even sweeter and brighter. Mangoes would also make this salad particularly sweet and tangy.
This jicama pear and grapefruit salad mixes juicy pear, crunchy julienned jicama, and sweet-tart grapefruit segments with fresh mint in a lime and olive oil dressing. A pinch of cayenne keeps every bite interesting. It is crisp, refreshing, and needs no cooking at all.
Pro Tips for Success
- Cut the peel and pith from the grapefruit, then slice along the membranes to release clean segments. This classic technique keeps bitter pith out of the salad.
- Julienne the jicama finely. Its crunch is the counterpoint to the soft pears and juicy grapefruit.
- Use ripe but still firm pears. Overripe pears turn to mush the moment they are tossed with the dressing.
- Fold the grapefruit pieces in last so the segments stay intact.
- Blood oranges in place of the grapefruit make the salad sweeter and brighter, and mango is another particularly sweet and tangy variation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this salad paleo?
It is - fruit, jicama, mint, lime juice, olive oil, and spices. No dairy, grains, or added sugar anywhere.
Can I make jicama pear and grapefruit salad ahead of time?
Toss the pears and jicama in the lime juice early to stop them browning, but fold in the grapefruit and mint just before serving.
What can I use instead of grapefruit?
Blood oranges make the salad sweeter and brighter, and mango makes a particularly sweet and tangy variation.
Why put cayenne in a fruit salad?
A quarter teaspoon is just a warm backdrop that makes the fruit taste sweeter. Leave it out if you prefer a purely sweet salad.
Ingredients
Method
- Cut the peel and the pith from the grapefruit.
- Slice along the membranes to release the grapefruit segments.
- Cut each segment into small bites.
- In a medium bowl, combine the pears, jicama, mint, lime juice, olive oil, salt and cayenne pepper and mix well.
- Fold in the grapefruit pieces.
