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Apple and Fennel Salad with Candied Pecans
This robust salad is modeled on one from Alon Shaya's cookbook, “Shaya.” We prefer to make our own candied pecans because they taste better than store-bought; they can be made a day to two in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you don't have or can't find Aleppo pepper, substitute ½ teaspoon sweet paprika mixed with ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper for the spiced nuts, then sprinkle the finished salad with an additional pinch or two of sweet paprika. To season the dressing, Shaya uses pink peppercorns, which have a subtle pepperiness and sweet, floral flavor that complement the other ingredients. If you can't them, we found that 1 tablespoon fennel seed, lightly crushed, works nicely instead
4
Servings
Tip
Don't toss the salad until you're ready to serve; this ensures the ingredients retain their individual textures.
45 minutes
10 minutes active
Ingredients
-
1
large egg white
-
1
cup pecan halves
Directions
-
01Heat the oven to 325°F with a rack in the middle position. Line a rimmed baking sheet with kitchen parchment. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg white until foamy. Add the pecans and fold until evenly coated. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pecans to a small bowl; discard the remaining egg white. Add the sugar, Aleppo pepper and ½ teaspoon salt; toss to coat. Spread in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through. Let cool completely on the baking sheet, then break up any clumps.
Reviews
February 15, 2026
Curtis P
Excellent salad!!
However, I found the pink peppercorns a little overpowering.
Next time I’ll try a teaspoon of pink peppercorns instead of the tablespoon the recipe calls for.
December 2, 2025
Fantastic!
The pecans were easy and the flavors melded together perfectly! So delicious and fresh tasting. When I make it again, will double the aleppo pepper for a bit more heat/smokey flavor.
April 4, 2024
Astonishingly good and refreshing salad
This salad is astonishingly good, more than the sum of its parts. Crunchy and refreshing to eat. My partner raved about it. I did not have the pink peppercorns but, even with the ingredient omission, it remained delicious. This salad would work well as a counterpoint to a rich pasta dish (or pizza).
November 27, 2023
Wonderful crunchy salad, friends raved over it and wanted the recipe!
Such a good simple salad to make and the pecans are so crunchy and yummy!
October 11, 2022
Peanuts?
I almost paged by this because the subhead in the article says 'peanuts.' Not very appealing. Now, pecans I can get with!
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The ratio of apples to fennel bulb seemed off - too many apples to fennel. I used medium apples. Maybe the fennel bulb wasn't "medium" enough. And too vinegary. I would use half the vinegar if I made this again. The pecans were really good. The aleppo pepper was also really good.