I am not sure what this citrus fruit tastes like. I first bought it thinking it was akin to the sweet lime (aka mosambi) I ate as a child. While it did not taste like sweet lime, it had a refreshing mix of tart and sweet finish. Although this salad is called a citrus and beet salad, the only citrus is the sweetie (or jaffa sweetie). This fruit tastes like a not-so-bitter version of a white grapefruit and pomelo. Very refreshing and bright.
Fennel has a distinct taste and is very refreshing in a light slaw. This is very different from the cabbage coleslaw that you are used to eating. This slaw has thinly julienned fennel bulb as the star of the slaw with thinly sliced mangoes and cucumbers. You can add any other vegetable to this slaw, but nothing that would overpower the fennel itself. A small amount of radish or turnip slices will add a sharpness to the slaw. This slaw is great by itself or as a side for a burger or a seafood dish.
I like to pair this slaw with my roasted mango dressing.
There are various versions of this salad/slaw that I have enjoyed over the years. The idea for this recipe is courtesy Kim and Po who created versions of the Thai Papaya Salad (Som Tam) with other vegetables. (See below for alternatives).
I have tried this salad with noodles, cucumbers, various types of cabbage, raw mango and any vegetables that can be sliced into thin strips.
The salad itself is very simple and comes together quickly once all the ingredients are sliced.