Snap Pea, Ginger & Orange Salad

A little love letter to AZ and why our citrus is some of the most underrated

Spring is a Myth in Phoenix

There’s summer, and then there’s not summer—that’s about it here.
With all the sun Arizona gets, our citrus trees bear some of the juiciest fruit known to man. No one believes me when I stand on business. But they get it when I slice open a tangelo (my favorite). The flavor bursts, juice dripping down their chin—and it clicks in that moment.

Most of the Valley used to be orange groves for miles. Now it’s homes, apartments, and shopping centers. We still have plenty of trees in high supply but the days of having thousands of acres of citrus trees unfortunately are over.

Arizona is known for the 5 C’s: Citrus, Climate, Cattle, Cotton, and Copper. This state is so much more than just cacti and desert—it’s deeply rooted in agriculture. Nestled between California and Mexico, two places rich in culture and land, Arizona holds its own.

This salad? A direct love letter to home.
To mornings spent picking oranges off the tree before school.
To walks with my dog- stopping by the neighbor’s house—the one with a cardboard box full of extra citrus and a scribbled sign that just says: “Free.”

It’s hot here in Phoenix, but I love getting sunshine every day. I love being in an undervalued city— a sleeping giant. We’re five hours from LA, even closer to Mexico and Vegas.
We’ve got more mountain ranges than any other state in the country. Look in any direction— our skyline’s always sprinkled with peaks in the distance. We also have the best sunsets in the world. This is my home and I want people to see it through my lens.

This salad is a refreshing bite packed full of flavor.
It’s juicy and crunchy. The peas, orange and ginger sing together in perfect harmony. With hot days approaching I would say this is a perfect remedy to the heat.

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