Description
Moroccan carrot salad brings Mediterranean sunshine to your plate with its zesty blend of spices and fresh herbs. Crisp carrots dance with cumin, cilantro, and lemon, inviting you to savor a delightful culinary journey through North African flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) carrots, chopped into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios or slivered almonds
Dressing Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon harissa paste
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 clove garlic, grated
Spices and Seasonings:
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 twists black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Transform whole carrots into bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife, creating uniform chunks for even cooking and elegant presentation.
- Submerge carrots in gently salted water, simmering at medium heat for 15-20 minutes until tender yet maintaining a slight crispness when pierced with a fork.
- Thoroughly drain cooked carrots and transfer to a spacious mixing vessel, allowing residual warmth to prepare for flavor absorption.
- Craft a vibrant dressing by whisking together zesty lemon juice, rich olive oil, fiery harissa paste, sweet honey, minced garlic, earthy cumin, smoky paprika, and seasoning until ingredients harmonize into a cohesive mixture.
- Cascade the aromatic dressing over warm carrots, gently folding to ensure each morsel becomes completely coated with the complex flavor profile.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped flat-leaf parsley throughout the salad, allowing the herbs to mingle and infuse their bright essence for approximately 10 minutes.
- Elegantly plate the marinated carrot salad, crowning the dish with crunchy pistachios or delicate slivered almonds for textural contrast and visual appeal.
Notes
- Choose fresh, crisp carrots for the best texture and sweetness in the salad.
- Adjust harissa paste quantity based on your spice tolerance, starting with a small amount and tasting as you go.
- For a lighter version, replace honey with a touch of agave or skip the sweetener entirely.
- Toast nuts briefly in a dry pan to enhance their flavor and add a delightful crunch to the final dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 116 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 184 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg