Description
A bold Moroccan-inspired carrot salad made withtender carrots, spicy harissa, tangy lemon, and crunchy nuts. It’s a perfectside dish or appetizer, offering a delightful balance of spice, sweetness, andcitrus.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1½ pounds carrots (chopped into bite-size pieces)
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon harissa paste (or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 clove garlic (grated)
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- 2 twists black pepper (or additional red pepper flakes)
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 2 tablespoons chopped pistachios or slivered almonds
- 680 g carrots (chopped into bite-size pieces)
- 45 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 30 ml lemon juice
- 15 ml harissa paste (or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, adjust to taste)
- 15 ml honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 clove garlic (grated)
- 1.5 g ground cumin
- 1 g paprika
- 1.5 g salt (or more to taste)
- 2 twists black pepper (or additional red pepper flakes)
- 15 g chopped flat-leaf parsley
- 15 g chopped pistachios or slivered almonds
Instructions
- Cook the Carrots: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the chopped carrots and cook for about 8–10 minutes, or until they are tender but still firm (al dente). Drain and set aside to cool.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, harissa paste (or red pepper flakes), honey or maple syrup if using, grated garlic, cumin, mix in the paprika, salt, and black pepper until everything is thoroughly blended.
- Combine Salad: Place the cooked carrots in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the carrots and toss to coat them evenly.
- Add Garnishes: Add the chopped parsley and pistachios (or almonds) to the salad, gently folding them in.
- Serve or Chill: Serve immediately at room temperature, or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld further. Garnish with extra parsley or nuts if desired.
Notes
- Heat Adjustment: Add more harissa or red pepper flakes for extra spice, or reduce for milder flavor.
- Nut-Free Option: Omit nuts or substitute with toasted seeds for crunch.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Flavors improve after chilling; perfect for meal prep or potlucks.
- Citrus Twist: Add orange zest or juice for a bright, citrusy kick.
- Serving Suggestions: Pair with grilled proteins, falafel, or couscous for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling, Tossing
- Cuisine: Moroccan-inspired
Nutrition
- Calories: 180