Dec 3, 2009

Orange and date salad recipe

I first tasted this bizarre savory orange salad in the splendid town of San Vito Lo Capo, just west of Trapani in Northern Sicilia. Then, years later, on a complicated film shoot in the Maghreb I was fed this delight in a seafront tavern of Tunis. Identical in every way, like two drops of Mediterranean Sea water.


4 Tarocco blood oranges (medium-sized, sweet and juicy)
12 sugared dates, pitted
1 garlic clove (optional), peeled and sliced
4 tbsp organic brown sugar
Dash of cinnamon
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper


Peel the oranges, trimming away all white pith parts and remove seeds, if any (the Tarocco variety is seedless). Slice horizontally and arrange on a wide platter. Dust with cinnamon and sugar, season with slivered garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper, and garnish with chopped dates.

Serve chilled as tantalizing exotic prelude to fish cous cous and belly dancing dinner.

18 comments:

  1. you had me at belly dancing dinner and blood oranges...two of my favorite things...lol. have a great day friend!

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  2. Hello my very best girl.

    Okay, now are blood oranges grapefruit?

    No laughing.

    Love Renee xoxoxo

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  3. Good news, Lola!
    You're the winner of my Christmas Burner Oil giveaway- 6 was the lucky number.
    If you email me kcraroma@gmail.com I'll get it in the post to you. Congrats!

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  4. I love all the ingredients here. Putting them together could be even better.

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  5. Blood oranges always look so stunning! That salad sounds delicious!

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  6. I'm salivating....but hmm....not sure about the raw garlic with my oranges.

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  7. Yummy! That sounds so delicious!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  8. This sounds delicious...I wonder how easy/hard it is to find blood oranges in California???? I will look for them :)

    Barbara

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  9. How fascinating! I've never heard of a blood orange before.. It reminds me of what we call ruby grapefruit over here, but no doubt different? Google here we come.. Hope you're keeping well!

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  10. Yum. I will be right over. Do you know it's been months since i've had a real appetite or even a glass of wine?
    Coming here always gives me one(an appetite) though, so thank you!
    love,
    lori

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  11. I love blood oranges! they are wonderful but never as sweet as the ones in Italy.

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  12. This blend with the blood oranges is unique and sounds great. I love San Vito Lo Capo. I have been there a few times to attend the famous yearly couscous festival. Party!!

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  13. Blood oranges are one of my very favorite things in the world. Unfortunately, they tend to be rather expensive (and rarely seen on the shelves) over here.

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  14. Wow, great photos! I am inspired to pull out my old belly dance scarves (I took lessons for a brief stint in Ozzy and Harriet's old house years ago!) and make that beautiful salad! Thanks!

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  15. Sounds scrumptious.....smiles.

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  16. Hi Lola,
    we lives a few years in Marocco and used to eat it there it tastes delicious.
    Have a great time til Christmas
    Hugs Myriam

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  17. Looks delicious. Wish I could find blood oranges around here!

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  18. Tarocco oranges are the best! They reach Venice, but somehow rarely Vienna. I love orange salad!

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