Winter Citrus Salad.

It's flu season and New York (among other states) has been declared a state of public health emergency.  I know it happens every year, but this year seems espcecially bad.  I've never had a flu shot and haven't had the flu since 7th grade.  I'm certainly not rushing out to get a shot in the arm.  Instead I'm washing my hands frequently, drinking plenty of water and eating my fruits and veggies.

When we think about fighting colds and flus, we often look to Vitamin C.  The antioxidants in Vitamin C can help fight off free radicals that can damage healthy cells and the vitamin itself helps fuel the immune system, especially when fighting an infection.  Aside from taking supplements, a delicious way to get some more Vitamin C in is citrus fruit.  Winter also happens to be high citrus season, meaning citrus is available in a wide variety and peak of ripeness, all at cheap prices.  Is it just a coincidence that citrus season coincides with cold and flu season?  I'll leave that to the scientists and leave you with this citrus salad.

In addition to some orange and lime, I added some jicama for crunch, onions and mint for flavor, and a pinch of cayenne to help clear those sinuses.  Enjoy and be well.

 

Winter Citrus Salad

Prep time: 10 minutes
Serves 1

1 orange, peeled and sliced into rounds
1/2 jicama, julienned
1-2 thin slices red onion
 several leaves fresh mint, slice thinly
half a lime
salt and pepper to taste
pinch cayenne pepper    

Arrange jicama, orange slices and onion on plate.  Top with mint.  Squeeze juice of half of lime over top.  Season with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.