A simple salad with Spring vibes, this self-dressing tomato kumquat salad comes together in minutes and self dresses using the juices from its ingredients. Vegan. Raw. Whole 30. Gluten-Free.
I am on a kumquat kick. I’ve been popping them like the candy they are…and salading them (yep, just used salad as a verb 🤩). What’s amazing about this salad is that it literally dresses itself with the juices from the kumquats and tomatoes. It’s great on it’s own as a side or mix in some cannellini or navy beans for protein to make it the main dish. Now, on to the good stuff…
Tips for Making a Self-Dressing Tomato Kumquat Salad
Finding Kumquats. Kumquats are no longer an exotic fruit and I see them in most stores in California. I’ve been purchasing organic kumquats online through Good Eggs and I love their service.
Let it marinade. Allow the salad to rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. The juices from the kumquats and tomatoes marinade the salad and self dresses it.
Options. Add spinach or Romaine lettuce, just add 1 more Tbsp olive oil. Also goes great with 1 cup cooked and drained cannellini or navy beans.
Goes great with: Try this delicious side salad next to my fool-proof joojeh – Persian-style barbecue chicken recipe.
Health Talk
Please take my advice like you do from a friend, not your doctor as I am not a doctor, dietitian or nutritionist. I have a passion for health and cooking and my hope is to bring you information that will encourage a health-filled life.
One serving of this dish is under 100 calories and packs in 18% daily value (DV) fiber and over 40%DV vitamin C. The salad is loaded with essential oils, vitamins, and antioxidants.
For example, Kumquats are high in antioxidants and contain many essential oils. Key benefits include improved digestion, immune system function, and boosts hair, skin, and eye health. They contain fiber, potassium, calcium, vitamin C and A, and beneficial fats which aid in the prevention of diabetes, lowers cholesterol, strengthens bones, and improves nerve health.
Furthermore, tomatoes are a true super-food, full of vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and potassium. They also contain the plant compound, lycopene, which has been linked to the prevention of prostate cancer, as well as better eye health. For more reading on the health benefits of this dish, see the sources cited below this post.
Equipment
- Mixing bowl or server
- Large spoon or tongs
- Chef’s knife
Self-Dressing Tomato Kumquat salad
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salads
- Method: Raw
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
A simple salad with Spring vibes, this tomato kumquat salad comes together in minutes and self dresses.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb kumquats, halved or sliced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 red onion, sliced thin
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh mint ( or any fresh herbs you have – basil, cilantro, or parsley)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil (I love Garcia de la Cruz olive oil)
- 1/4 tsp Sea salt
- 1/8 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients and toss.
- Allow the salad to rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. The juices from the kumquats and tomatoes marinade the salad and self dresses it.
Notes
Feel free to toss this into some greens for a more traditional salad. Cannelini or navy beans make a great addition as well.
Goes great with: Try this delicious side salad next to my fool-proof joojeh – Persian-style barbecue chicken recipe.
As always, make it your own and let me know what you create in the comments. Thanks for checking it out!
Keywords: side, side salad, salad, spring salad, vegan, raw, whole 30, spring, gluten free
Resources
Visit these sources below to learn more about the ingredients used in this recipe as well as additional health benefits:
PubMed, Traditional Small-Size Citrus from Taiwan: Essential Oils, Bioactive Compounds and Antioxidant Capacity
Organic Facts, 9 amazing health benefits of Kumquats
Medical News Today, Tomatoes: Benefits, Facts, and Research
Healthline, Tomatoes 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
