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Kale Salad with Jicama, Pomelo, and Candied Cashews

By Erica Turner

Published on October 3, 2022

Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 6 to 8

Kale Salad with Jicama, Pomelo, and Candied Cashews

Ingredients

1 large egg white 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted1½ teaspoons ground coriander, divided1½ teaspoons table salt, dividedPinch cayenne pepper 1 cup raw cashews ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided3 tablespoons sherry vinegar ¼ teaspoon pepper 2 pomelos 12 ounces curly kale, stemmed and chopped (10 cups)1 small head radicchio (6 ounces), halved, cored, and chopped coarse2 cups fresh cilantro leaves 6 ounces jicama, peeled and cut into 2-inch-long matchsticks

Before You Begin

Pomelo is a citrus fruit with firm, bright, subtly sweet flesh that’s encased in a thick layer of pith beneath its green or yellow rind. Revealing the fruit’s flesh requires a bit more work than other citrus but it is worth it. The candied nuts will be moist and slightly soft out of the oven but will be very crisp once cool. This vibrant salad makes a versatile side to any number of dishes.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk egg white in bowl until frothy. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, ½ teaspoon coriander, ½ teaspoon salt, and cayenne and whisk until combined. Add cashews and stir to evenly coat.
  2. Spread cashews on prepared sheet in single layer and bake until deeply browned and fragrant, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through baking. Transfer sheet to wire rack and let cool completely, about 20 minutes. Transfer cashews to cutting board and chop into 1/2-inch pieces. (Cashews can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week.)
  3. Meanwhile, whisk 3 tablespoons oil, vinegar, pepper, remaining 1 teaspoon coriander, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt together in small bowl. Working with 1 pomelo at a time, cut away top ½ inch of fruit. Score skin into quarters from pole to pole. Working with 1 quarter at a time, peel back skin. Open pomelo and separate segments. Gently peel away membrane from each segment (it is OK if fruit breaks). Break segments into ½-inch pieces.
  4. Combine kale and remaining 1 tablespoon oil in large bowl. Gently knead and squeeze kale until leaves are evenly coated, have started to soften, and are slightly wilted, about 1 minute. Add pomelos, cashews, radichio, cilantro, jicima, and vinaigrette and toss until well combined. Transfer salad to platter and serve. (Salad can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 hours or refrigerated for up to 2 days; if refrigerating, add cashews just before serving.)
Kale Salad with Jicama, Pomelo, and Candied Cashews
Photography by Elizabeth Fuller.

Kale Salad with Jicama, Pomelo, and Candied Cashews

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Time

45 minutes

Yield

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

1 large egg white
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1½ teaspoons ground coriander, divided
1½ teaspoons table salt, divided
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup raw cashews
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 pomelos
12 ounces curly kale, stemmed and chopped (10 cups)
1 small head radicchio (6 ounces), halved, cored, and chopped coarse
2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
6 ounces jicama, peeled and cut into 2-inch-long matchsticks

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 large egg white
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1½ teaspoons ground coriander, divided
1½ teaspoons table salt, divided
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup raw cashews
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 pomelos
12 ounces curly kale, stemmed and chopped (10 cups)
1 small head radicchio (6 ounces), halved, cored, and chopped coarse
2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
6 ounces jicama, peeled and cut into 2-inch-long matchsticks

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

1 large egg white
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1½ teaspoons ground coriander, divided
1½ teaspoons table salt, divided
Pinch cayenne pepper
1 cup raw cashews
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 pomelos
12 ounces curly kale, stemmed and chopped (10 cups)
1 small head radicchio (6 ounces), halved, cored, and chopped coarse
2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
6 ounces jicama, peeled and cut into 2-inch-long matchsticks

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

We wanted to create a make-ahead holiday salad that would complement and enhance the traditional spread. Using kale as the hearty base meant the dish could be dressed and ready to go hours ahead of time without compromising taste, texture, or appearance. Adding raw jicama meant minimal preparation with maximum crunch. Taking advantage of seasonal fruit, we incorporated pomelo to add a bright burst of color and refreshing, juicy, and sweet flavor. To tie the salad together, we infused coriander into both a punchy vinaigrette and crunchy cashews.

Want more? Read the whole story

Before You Begin

Pomelo is a citrus fruit with firm, bright, subtly sweet flesh that’s encased in a thick layer of pith beneath its green or yellow rind. Revealing the fruit’s flesh requires a bit more work than other citrus but it is worth it. The candied nuts will be moist and slightly soft out of the oven but will be very crisp once cool. This vibrant salad makes a versatile side to any number of dishes.

Instructions

  1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Whisk egg white in bowl until frothy. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, ½ teaspoon coriander, ½ teaspoon salt, and cayenne and whisk until combined. Add cashews and stir to evenly coat.
  2. Spread cashews on prepared sheet in single layer and bake until deeply browned and fragrant, 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through baking. Transfer sheet to wire rack and let cool completely, about 20 minutes. Transfer cashews to cutting board and chop into 1/2-inch pieces. (Cashews can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 week.)
  3. Meanwhile, whisk 3 tablespoons oil, vinegar, pepper, remaining 1 teaspoon coriander, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt together in small bowl. Working with 1 pomelo at a time, cut away top ½ inch of fruit. Score skin into quarters from pole to pole. Working with 1 quarter at a time, peel back skin. Open pomelo and separate segments. Gently peel away membrane from each segment (it is OK if fruit breaks). Break segments into ½-inch pieces.
  4. Combine kale and remaining 1 tablespoon oil in large bowl. Gently knead and squeeze kale until leaves are evenly coated, have started to soften, and are slightly wilted, about 1 minute. Add pomelos, cashews, radichio, cilantro, jicima, and vinaigrette and toss until well combined. Transfer salad to platter and serve. (Salad can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 hours or refrigerated for up to 2 days; if refrigerating, add cashews just before serving.)

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