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Fresh carrot salad in white bowl with lemon dressing, parsley, golden raisins, and toasted seeds on dark wood

Fresh Carrot Salad

Freshly grated whole carrots tossed in a bright lemon, toasted cumin, and honey dressing with golden raisins, fresh parsley, and toasted seeds. No cooking, 15 minutes, and better the next day after the dressing has absorbed into every strand.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Rest Time 0 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
Calories: 185

Ingredients
  

The Carrots
  • 500g (about 4 to 5 medium) fresh whole carrots, peeled and grated on the large holes of a box grater
  • 3 tablespoons golden raisins
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
  • 3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
The Lemon Cumin Dressing
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 medium lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted and roughly crushed (or 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin)
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 small garlic clove, microplane-grated
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)

Equipment

  • small dry skillet
  • board or mortar
  • Small bowl
  • whisk
  • Box grater
  • Large mixing bowl
  • serving bowl
  • Two forks
  • microplane

Method
 

  1. Place cumin seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat. Swirl continuously for 60 to 90 seconds until darkened and fragrant. Transfer immediately to a board or mortar and crush roughly; do not grind to a fine powder.
  2. Combine olive oil, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, crushed cumin, honey, grated garlic, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika in a small bowl. Whisk until fully emulsified into a uniform pale yellow dressing. Taste and adjust salt and lemon.
  3. Peel the carrots and grate immediately on the large holes of a box grater directly into a large mixing bowl. Stop 2cm from the thin tip of each carrot.
  4. Pour the dressing over the grated carrots. Add golden raisins, most of the parsley, and green onions. Toss with two forks or clean hands until every strand is coated and the mix-ins are evenly distributed throughout. Taste and adjust salt.
  5. Transfer to a serving bowl. Scatter reserved parsley and toasted seeds on top. Serve immediately or refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes for a slightly more integrated flavor.

Notes

  • Always grate whole fresh carrots immediately before dressing; pre-shredded bagged carrots produce a watery, rubbery salad.
  • Store seeds separately when making ahead; add just before serving to keep them crunchy.
  • The dressed salad keeps 3 days refrigerated; day 2 is the best eating day for depth of flavor.
  • Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving if refrigerated, to allow the olive oil to return to its liquid state.