Sicilian Salt Cod And Orange Salad - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 blood oranges
1 lemon (optional)
1/3 cup black olives, pitted, coarsely chopped
1 red onion, small, very thinly sliced
1 chili pepper, small, roasted, seeded and sliced (red or green)
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
8 ounces salt cod fish
1/4 teaspoon oregano, crumbled (Greek or Sicilian)
salad greens (such as escarole or frisee)

Preparation

Prepare the salt cod.
Soak the fish for at least 24 hours or preferably 48 hours, changing the water three to four times each day.
When the fish has softened and lost its intense saltiness, rinse and drain it.
Dry the fish as best you can with paper towels.
Pull the fish into shreds with your hands.
Prepare the salad.
Cut off each end of each of the oranges (and the lemon if you are using one).
Stand each orange on end and using a jig-saw motion slice away the skin and white pith.
Slice the flesh of the fruit into chunks.
Combine the chunks of fruit in a bowl with the olives, onion, chili, oil, vinegar, salt cod and oregano.
Toss to mix well.
Cover with plastic wrap and set aside, at room temperature, for at least an hour.
To serve, arrange greens (if you're using them) on a platter and mound the salad on top.