Schaner Farm’s Avocado and Citrus Salad with Green Olives
4 lbs. mixed citrus fruit (about 1/2 C. citrus fruit segments per person)
2 T. finely diced shallot
1 tsp. red wine vinegar
1 T. lemon juice
1/4 C. extra-virgin olive oil
2 ripe but not too soft avocados
1/2 C. pitted Lucqes, Picholine, or other green olives
1 bunch watercress, cleaned, tough stems removed
1 bunch frisee (about 2 oz), cleaned
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Zest some of the citrus to get 1 tsp. fine zest. Using a sharp knife, cut the stem and blossom ends from the fruit. One by one, place each of the fruits, cut side down, on a cutting board. Following the contour of the fruit with your knife, remove the peel and cottony white pith, working from top to bottom, and rotating the fruit as you go. When the fruits are all peeled, hold them in your hand one by one, and carefully slice between the membranes and the fruit to release the segments in between. Discard all the seeds. If you’re using blood oranges, don’t cut them into segments; after removing the peel and pith, slice them into pinwheels and set aside in a separate bowl. (Otherwise, they will “bleed” on the other fruit.) You should have about 2 1/2 C. segments in addition to your blood-orange slices. Combine the shallot, 1/4 C. citrus juice (from segmenting the fruit), the vinegar, lemon juice, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a small bowl. Let sit 5 minutes, then whisk in the olive oil and the zest. Taste for balance and seasoning. Cut the avocados in half lengthwise. Remove the pits and peel. Cut the avocados into 1/4 inch slices and place on a plate. Season with 1/2 tsp. salt and freshly ground pepper. Place the citrus and olives in a large bowl, and spoon three quarters of the vinaigrette over them. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. salt. Gently toss in the watercress and frisee. Taste for balance and seasoning. Add more vinaigrette if you like. Plate half the salad on a large chilled platter. Nestle half the avocado slices in the salad, being careful not to flatten the greens. Arrange the rest of the salad on top, and tuck the remaining avocado slices into the salad, so you have a tapestry of colors. Place the blood-orange slices among the greens.