Spring Root Salad with Lemon-Scallion Dressing

What screams Spring more than bright and earthy flavors combined into one crisp bite? I wanted to take advantage of all the beautiful root veggies growing this time of year and throw in some of the remaining winter citrus we have hanging around in this part of the United States. Trust me when I say this, you will want to drink this lemon-scallion dressing by the glass!

Here’s a run down of the lovely vendors you can source from to create this recipe!

  • Wood Duck is an 87 acre farm, located in Cleveland, Texas. They have a thriving CSA program and have been providing healthy produce to the community for years. Wood Duck is actually in the process of fighting a proposed landfill in San Jacinto County, visit this website to learn more about how you can help!

  • Plant it Forward works with independent, professional farmers with refugee backgrounds to grow and distribute fresh produce throughout the community. At our market locations we work with farmer Materanya “Pierre” Ruchinagiza, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each market he brings delicious vegetables and good conversation. He’s an amazing asset to the markets and his farming knowledge is invaluable!

  • Verde Greens located in Houston, Texas, uses a combination of hydroponic and no-till soil cultivation methods to produce healthy, nutritious, pesticide- and herbicide-free leafy greens, herbs, and mixed vegetables for the community.

  • Animal Farm is a working, sustainable permaculture center located 65 miles west of Houston. They are dedicated to producing high quality certified organic vegetables and flowers. They sell at our markets, but also have a wonderful CSA program!

  • Erbe Ranch is a family owned farm located in Cat Spring, Texas raising grass-fed beef, pastured poultry and pastured pork. The property has been in Farmer Brian’s family for over one hundred thirty five years.

  • Bee2Bee provides beekeeping services and hyper local Houston honey. They sell batches of honey separated by the neighborhoods the hives are located in, as well as infusions, and beehive products.

  • 1836 Olive Oil grows, harvests, mills, and bottles Texas-grown olives into exceptional olive oils. Owner Kerry Thornhill started the orchard in 2012 with a desire to pay homage to her maternal grandparents. She believes in the Texas olive industry, and in supporting local agriculture and women farmers everywhere.

  • Old Country Olive Oil is owned by native Houstonian, Rita Joubran. Having been raised around her families olive trees and their products in Lebanon, Rita realized that she wanted to share the high quality oil with her Houston community. She also sells delicious spices such as sumac and a wonderful olive oil soap.

Ingredients

Dressing

1 bunch of green onion

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 Tbsp. honey

2 tsp. dijon mustard

1 lemon (1 tsp. lemon zest and about 3 Tbsp. lemon juice)

Pinch of salt

Pinch of black pepper

Salad

1 bag of arugula or other in season leafy green

2 large carrots (peeled into strips)

2 red beets (thinly sliced)

2 golden beets (thinly sliced)

1 bunch of radishes (thinly sliced)

2 mandarin oranges or other orange variety (sliced into rounds and peeled)

1/3 cup chopped almonds

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: Add goat cheese as a garnish to bring in another creamy element.

Method

  1. For the dressing combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth. Taste, and add more of any ingredient to adjust the flavor. Pulse again until the added ingredients are fully incorporated.

  2. Place your leafy greens in a serving bowl and pour a few Tbsp. of dressing over them. Gently toss the greens with the dressing.

  3. Place your slice beets, radishes, carrots, and citrus over the greens.

  4. Sprinkle the chopped almonds over the salad.

  5. Drizzle with desired amount of dressing and top with a sprinkle of sea salt.

  6. Dig in to your art piece!

We hope to see you at the 1st and 3rd Sunday at Rice Village Farmers Market or 2nd and 4th Sunday at Heights Mercantile Farmers Market. Both markets run from 9-1 pm, with Heights located at 714 Yale St. and Rice located at 2504 Amherst St. These markets operate rain or shine! We will have over 60 vendors, live music, and immaculate vibes.

Thank you for following along and supporting local!

xxCB