Make Ahead

Moroccan Carrot Salad by Way of Israel

Name: Moroccan Carrot Salad by Way of Israel
Prep time: 1 h 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Yield: Serves 4 to 6 as a side/appetizer/mezze
Cuisine: Israeli
Ingredients: 6 carrots, peeled; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne pepper; 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; ½ teaspoons hot paprika; ¼ cups chopped cilantro or parsley; 1/2 teaspoon harissa or chopped chili pepper (optional, more to taste); 1 pinch salt, more to taste

by: kmartinelli

February 27, 2011

2 Ratings

Prep time 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes
Serves 4 to 6 as a side/appetizer/mezze

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Author Notes

First off, I love carrots and I love this challenge. When I was a baby I ate so much carrot baby food I turned orange. So expect to see a few recipes from me this week... We'll see if I gain an orange hue.

This recipe is a homage to my new home. Yes, it is Moroccan in origin, but Moroccan Carrot Salad is an integral part of the Israeli mezze spread and is served in homes and restaurants across the country. The dish varies from piquant to unbearably fiery so adjust to suit your taste. This is a fairly mild rendition. Red chili flakes could also be another source of heat.

This dish is typically served cold or room temperature, and only gets better with age, so it's the perfect make ahead side or starter. Really it's best with an array of other dishes that make up a mezze, like baba ghanouj, hummus, tahina dip, and Turkish salad (a red sauce-like dip). —kmartinelli

Ingredients

6 carrots, peeled
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon chili powder or cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoons hot paprika
¼ cups chopped cilantro or parsley
¹/₂ teaspoon harissa or chopped chili pepper (optional, more to taste)
1 pinch salt, more to taste

Directions

Cook the carrots in boiling water until just tender, about 10 minutes.
Drain the carrots and rinse under cold water. Slice on a bias into thin coin-shaped slices.
Mix together the garlic, chili powder, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, parsley, and harissa (if using) and toss with the sliced carrots. Season with salt.
Let stand at room temperature or in the fridge at least 1 hour, or in the fridge up to 2 days (the carrots will only get more flavorful with time). Serve cold or at room temperature.

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A native New Yorker, I recently moved to Be'er Sheva, Israel with my husband while he completes medical school. I am a freelance food and travel writer and photographer who is always hungry and reads cookbooks in bed.

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11 Reviews

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Petal M. January 29, 2021

Hi,
Just wondering, no oil? When ever this salad is served at weddings in Israel it looks like it has some oil in it. I haven't made it yet.

Nava September 27, 2019

I coat the carrots in the spice blend and then roast for time efficiency! The flavor of the spices are enhanced and the carrots get a bit sweeter in the roasting process. I add the lemon juice and parsley before serving. Delicious! Thanks for sharing. My whole family enjoys :)

Lynne November 11, 2016

So many of my recipes are Moroccan by way of Israel -- so I REALLY loved the name of this recipe.
For example, once when I volunteered in the IDF , our camp cook was Moroccan and he generously wrote out a ton of his mother's recipes for me.
For this one I peel the carrots, slice them in the food processor, and steam them for about 15 - 17 minutes. Then I drop them into the dressing. They are not mushy and absorb the dressing easily.

mrslarkin February 27, 2011

Sounds very yummy! My daughter's nose turned orange when she was a baby from eating way too many carrots and squash! She doesn't like them so much now. :)

kmartinelli February 28, 2011

That's too funny. So did my husband's but we were the only two I'd heard of! Too bad she doesn't like them so much now.

drbabs February 27, 2011

great recipe!

kmartinelli February 28, 2011

Thanks drbabs!

hardlikearmour February 27, 2011

Yum! This sounds awesome. I once had a boss who went on a diet and ate so many carrots he turned a little orange.

kmartinelli February 27, 2011

Haha, that is hysterical. It totally happens! Thanks, hla.

sldrahan February 27, 2011

you wait to cut the carrots until after cooked? is there a reason?

can't wait to see your other carrot recipes!