Marc, yes you can apply oil to a green bowl, to a salad bowl I would
put nothing but a food oil to it, if I wanted to eat out of that green
wood bowl.

We use a couple of bowls for food and salad, and have used a couple of
different oils in the last few years, never had any problem with oil
getting rancid, the bowls get washed long before any oil will get
rancid, the only problems that arise sometimes is the oil will get
build up and becomes sticky if not used and washed frequently, a good
soapy wash with warm water and rinse does take care of that.

If you are going to make that salad bowl, try to make it no thicker
than 1/2" and it will probably not crack, just warp a bit, and you will
be able to use it for a long long time.

Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo
http://homepage.mac.com/l.vanderloo/PhotoAlbum12.html

marc rosen wrote:
Hello All,
I still have not made anything decent with my lathe - two round things
from square stock and a rough looking goblet of sorts from a piece of
cherry. I have signed up for a bowl turning class at my local
Woodcraft for the end of this month so I am thinking along the right
lines.
My question to you all is about making a salad bowl from green wood.
Assuming the wood of choice is compatible with food, is there any
danger or problem in using the bowl immediately after it's turned? Can
an oil finish be applied to a green bowl? I am not concerned about
shape stability.

(I did a brief google search for green wood turning but after several
citations I could not find one specific to my concern so that's why I'm
asking)
Thanks in advance to everyone for your advice.
Marc