This gorgeous Cara Cara Orange Blackberry Salad is a feast for the eyes and palate. It is amazing served with homemade Orange Poppy Seed Vinaigrette.
If you have never tried Cara Cara oranges, you should run to the stores right now. They are the juiciest and sweetest oranges I have ever tasted. It was love at first sight when I cut into these beauties. Their flesh is a pinkish salmon color and they are seedless too! Combining them with blackberries and baby greens was a no-brainer. The contrasting colors further enhanced their gorgeous color. Served with homemade Orange Poppy Seed Vinaigrette, this delightful Cara Cara Orange Blackberry Salad is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds.
Cara Cara Oranges in Season
According to this source, Cara Cara oranges are in season from December through April. It is no wonder you do not see them as the summer progresses. Fortunately, they are still available in my neck of the woods although it is now May. They do cost a bit more but they are worth trying. I will definitely be buying a few more before the season ends.
Poppy Seed Dressing
One of our favorite dressings for a fruit salad is poppy seed dressing. I used freshly squeezed orange juice in place of vinegar for this homemade dressing. You can use any kind of oranges for this purpose. I added some cider vinegar and honey to round off the taste. The honey may be adjusted or omitted depending on the sweetness of the orange juice used.
Be sure to give the dressing a good shake before drizzling over the salad as the temporary emulsion will settle and separate into layers. It is interesting that the poppy seeds formed the second layer separating the oil and the juice. I think it is actually quite pretty. 🙂
Similar Products Used in Making This Cara Cara Orange Blackberry Salad
This post contains affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy here.
Hand Juicer Citrus Orange Squeezer Manual Lid Rotation Press Reamer
Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 68 Fl Oz
Maille Dijon Originale Traditional Dijon Mustard — 7.5 oz (pack of 2)
Cara Cara Orange Blackberry Salad with Orange Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 2 Cara Cara oranges
- 5 oz baby spring mix (140g)
- 6 oz blackberries (170g)
- ½ cup walnut halves (toasted) (50g)
Orange Poppy Seed Vinaigrette
- ½ cup orange juice freshly squeezed from 1 orange (120ml)
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp poppy seeds
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (80ml)
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, carefully slice off the skin from the oranges. Cut each orange into ¼-inch thick slices.
- Divide baby spring mix evenly between 4 salad plates. Place 4 to 5 slices of oranges, a few blackberries, and some walnuts on top of the spring mix on each plate.
- Combine all vinaigrette ingredients in an empty bottle. Put on the lid and give it a good shake until everything is well mixed. Drizzle over fruits and vegetables.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
This post was originally published on May 8th, 2013. It was updated on May 21st, 2019 with additional write up.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
Janine says
I’m not sure if we can get cara oranges here but the vinaigrette is definitely something I want to try soon!
Biren says
You can use regular navel oranges for the vinaigrette. It is good. I think you will like it. 🙂
Jeannie says
Definitely no cara-cara oranges here, or even black berries, and even if there are, they will be too expensive lol! Nice photos! Will pin this for the vinaigrette, sounds too good to pass it up!
Biren says
Thanks for pinning, Jeannie! The vinaigrette can be made using whatever oranges you can find in KL. Just adjust the salt and honey according to the acidity of the oranges. I hope you enjoy it.
Jeanne says
I’ve never heard of them but will look out for these cara-cara oranges and give this salade a try though I’ll probably replace the blackberries with something else as I’m not a fan of berries & myrtles. I can’t wait to try the vinaigrette. Thanks Bee!
Biren says
You are most welcomed, Jeanne! Regular navel oranges mixed with pears will also be delicious. Have fun mixing it up. 🙂
Ramona says
What a lovely and light salad. I adore the dressing.
Biren says
Thanks Ramona!
Akansha's Recipes says
Simply yum. I definitely gonna try this and put a version of mine in my blog. And surely will link to your post mentioning my inspiration! Keep up the good work!
Biren says
Thanks for visiting and commenting! Appreciate the link back.
mjskitchen says
The husband brought home a bag of Cara Caras and a box of Blackberries from Costco Friday. I’m all over this salad! Perfect dressing for it too!
Linda says
Perfect! Cara cara oranges are so juicy. Love the color too. Nice contrast with the blackberries. Glad you found a recipe you can use. 🙂
Luna Regina says
I couldn’t find cara cara oranges in my place, so I tried navel oranges instead, and it tasted awesome! Hope I can find some cara cara oranges somewhere near so that I can taste the original recipe.
Anyway, thanks for such a great salad recipe, Linda! <3
Linda says
You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed the salad.
Gwynn says
Costco carries these oranges as a seasonal item so I made this salad for Easter and it was beautiful, delicious and healthy. A hit with my family!
Linda says
I am glad you enjoyed this recipe. When I put this salad together, I too thought that the contrast between the cara cara oranges, black berries, and lettuce was stunning. Glad you think so too. I hope you had a wonderful Easter.
Elena @ Best Ninja Blender says
I have been eating only salads for lunch lately. Will be adding to this one of the weekday’s lunch because it’s cute, and delicious hehe
Linda says
This really is a pretty salad and tasty too. Glad you enjoyed it.