• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Marisa's Italian Kitchen

The Secret Ingredient Is Always Love

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Salads / Fennel and Pomegranate Salad

Fennel and Pomegranate Salad

January 17, 2020 by Marisa 30 Comments

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
White bowl with fennel, sliced apples and pomegranate arils.

A crispy Fennel and Pomegranate Salad with thinly sliced granny smith apples and tossed with a white wine vinaigrette.

Fennel and Pomegranate Salad

Fennel is one of my favourite vegetables. I love it’s sweet liquorice taste and it really makes a lovely crunchy snack all on its’ own.

When paired with thin slices of tart granny smith apples and a generous sprinkle of ruby red pomegranate arils, it becomes almost too pretty to eat.  

You can serve this easy to make salad as a first course to an elegant dinner. It also compliments a poultry or even a fish dish quite wonderfully.

You’ll find it crisp, light and refreshing.

A perfectly delicious salad and always garners huge compliments!

Thin slices of fennel on a cutting board.

How to Slice Fennel

Cut the stalks and fronds of the fennel bulb. Don’t throw the stalks away but rather reserve them for later use as they’re quite tasty in soups and sauces.

The fronds can also be kept aside and used as a garnish.

Slice the fennel bulb in half and remove the core. 

Place the fennel bulb cut side down on a cutting board and slice as thinly as you can with a sharp knife.

Sliced granny smith apples on a cutting board

Granny Smith Apples

With its availability all year round, tart green apples make a nice contrast to the sweet fennel and a perfect addition in this fennel and pomegranate salad.

They’re firm, juicy and hold up well paired with the crispy fennel.

You’ll want to slice the apple as thinly as you can or roughly the same thinness as the fennel. You can use a mandolin if you have one.

But really, all you’ll need is a very sharp knife and a steady hand.

Sliced green apples and fennel with white wine vinaigrette.

White Wine Vinaigrette for Fennel Salad

The one part vinegar to two part oil is a basic ratio for a salad dressing and with a few other additions, it makes a perfect compliment to this winter salad.

Adding some aromatic fennel seeds compliments the liquorice taste of fennel and the sugar balances the tartness of the apples. 

And of course the zest of a lime with its juice simply rounds up all the flavours and makes them pop!

But really for me, what I find so eye pleasing is the generous splash of ruby red, pomegranate arils throughout this salad.

The pomegranate arils are simply striking and I love that burst of sweetness you get in every bite.

Two white plates filled with a crispy winter salad.

How To Freeze Pomegranate Arils

Pomegranates are among one of the healthiest fruits with powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties and extremely rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals.

All the more reason to include them in our diet.

Pomegranate arils freeze extremely well and will last many months in the freezer.

To freeze the arils simply spread them in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer for a couple of hours until they are frozen and then transfer to resealable freezer bags.

White bowl with fennel, sliced apples and sprinkled with pomegranate arils.

This Fennel and Pomegranate Salad recipe was originally published January 3, 2016 and republished January 17, 2020 with updated photos and content.

It’s a recipe adapted from Canada’s very own celebrity chef Ricardo, from Ricardo Magazine, in its 2006 edition and I’ve been making it ever since. 

Looking for more healthy and nutrient packed salads? You may also want to try this Apple Walnut Kale Salad.

Fennel and Pomegranate Salad
Print Pin
No ratings yet

Fennel and Pomegranate Salad

A crisp, bright fennel and pomegranate salad with sliced green apples.
Course Salad
Keyword salad, fennel, apple, pomegranate
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 to 6 people
Calories 130kcal
Author Marisa

Ingredients

  • DRESSING
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • Zest and the juice of one lime
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • SALAD
  • 2 fennel bulbs trimmed, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 green apple. cored and thinly sliced
  • Seeds of 1 pomegranate
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • FOR THE DRESSING:
  • In a small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients and whisk well.
  • FOR THE SALAD
  • In a salad bowl, toss together the sliced fennel, sliced apple with the dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Sprinkle with the pomegranate seeds.

Notes

This recipe was adapted from the wonderful Ricardo Magazine, the holiday edition from 2006.

Nutrition

Calories: 130kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 533mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 181IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 66mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @marisasitaliankitchen or tag #marisasitaliankitchen!

 

Filed Under: Salads, Salads & Side Dishes Tagged With: apple, Fennel, Pomegranate, salad

Previous Post: « Chocolate Cherry Panettone
Next Post: Oven Roasted Potatoes and Fennel »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. blankanotherfoodieblogger

    January 3, 2016 at 4:27 pm

    What a beautiful and unique salad!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 3, 2016 at 7:21 pm

      Thank-you…it really is quite delicious ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  2. blankTasty Eats Ronit Penso

    January 3, 2016 at 4:43 pm

    Gorgeous looking salad!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 3, 2016 at 7:19 pm

      Thank-you Ronit ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. blankDulce

    January 3, 2016 at 5:43 pm

    Love it Marisa! !!!!so refreshing โ˜บ

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 3, 2016 at 7:18 pm

      Thanks Dulce…try it, you will love it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. blankParul Singhal

    January 3, 2016 at 7:03 pm

    Looks delightful…

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 3, 2016 at 7:17 pm

      Thank-you Parul, it really is ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  5. blankMarisa

    January 3, 2016 at 7:20 pm

    I totally agree Nadia, Happy New Year to you as well ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  6. blankIvette

    January 3, 2016 at 8:05 pm

    Looks extremely good and refreshing!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 3, 2016 at 8:48 pm

      Thanks Yvette, it really is ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  7. blankM. L. Kappa

    January 4, 2016 at 1:16 am

    I’ll definitely be trying this. In Greece we have pomegranate trees in our garden, and I use them in salads as well as making juice in the morning, sometimes mixed with orange. Never tried freezing them though, we just eat them in season. Brilliant idea!

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 4, 2016 at 7:56 pm

      How lucky to be able to grow them in one’s garden. We have them here for such a short time so freezing them is a great option for us. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  8. blankapuginthekitchen

    January 4, 2016 at 9:09 am

    Beautiful salad, so fresh and crisp.

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 4, 2016 at 7:53 pm

      Thank-you, it is a family favorite ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  9. blankRosanna Colabella

    January 4, 2016 at 6:30 pm

    MMMMMM. Looks soooo good. I just printed the recipe. can’t wait to try it. Thanks Marisa xoxoxox

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 4, 2016 at 7:48 pm

      Hi Rosa, you are so going to love it…enjoy ๐Ÿ™‚ xoxo

      Reply
  10. blankLynz Real Cooking

    January 4, 2016 at 9:29 pm

    Very special, light and delicious! wow thanks for sharing!xx

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 4, 2016 at 9:38 pm

      Hi Lynz…very welcome ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  11. blankIt's Cooking With Magda

    January 5, 2016 at 12:04 am

    All of my favorite ingredients. Looks delicious. Happy New Year to you.

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 5, 2016 at 8:13 am

      Thanks Magda…and to you as well ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  12. blankpblevitt

    January 8, 2016 at 11:43 am

    This salad makes watching what you eat a pleasure, thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 9, 2016 at 8:18 pm

      It absolutely does! ?

      Reply
  13. blankSheryl

    January 9, 2016 at 7:02 pm

    It’s beautiful. It makes me want to go out and buy a pomegranate.

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 9, 2016 at 8:19 pm

      Lol…thank-you ?

      Reply
  14. blankAngieAngie

    January 20, 2016 at 9:49 am

    This is so refreshing; I love fennels! So much that I tried growing them myself. I didn’t get bulbs, just some scrawny things, all stems and leaves, LOL. Still flavorful, though. Btw, would you like to join our weekly Fiesta Friday Link Party? You’ll find that we’re a welcoming and super friendly group that would just love to feast on your Italian delectables, even if just virtually ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      January 20, 2016 at 6:47 pm

      How wonderful to be able to grow your own fennel Angie and thank-you so much for the lovely invitation…sounds like fun. I would love to join, however I don’t know how often I would be able to participate due to an illness in the family….

      Reply
  15. blankthefolia

    March 28, 2016 at 4:07 pm

    What a fun and light looking dish. Happy feasting.

    Reply
    • blankMarisa

      March 28, 2016 at 6:51 pm

      Thank-you so much!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

A Little About Me

blankHi I'm Marisa! Welcome to my little corner of the web where you'll find delicious foods inspired by my Italian heritage and Canadian upbringing. So kick off your shoes, have a seat and stay awhile... Read Moreโ€ฆ

Let's Be Social

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Search In My Kitchen

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro & The Genesis Framework