Moroccan Raw Carrot Salad

Moroccan Raw Carrot Salad
Moroccan Raw Carrot Salad
Shlata Chizo Carrot salads are a relatively new dish, especially raw ones. Until well into the twentieth century, most Europeans ate only cooked carrots, primarily in stews and soups. In the Middle East, people also used them as a component of cooked dishes, but sometimes added grated or minced raw carrots as a minor ingredient to various salads. It was in northwestern Africa that carrots, both cooked and raw, became the featured component of salads — typically an accompaniment to couscous or part of an assortment of salads. Moroccans brought carrot salads to Israel in the 1940s, and they quickly became ubiquitous. These salads are a traditional Rosh Hashanah dish in Israel, a symbol of a sweet and fruitful year to come. At many Israeli restaurants, cooked carrot salad automatically appears on the table with the bread, pickles, and hummus. The carrots are usually flavored with charmoula, a characteristic Moroccan marinade of oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt. Most cooks add heat with chilies, sometimes in dangerous proportions. I have tasted some that left me gasping and other that proved a lively appetizer, so adjust the amount of chilies to your own preference and that of your guests. For fancy presentation, Israelis serve raw carrot salad, commonly called gezer chai ("live carrots"), in quartered avocados or on a bed of lettuce leaves, garnished with a sprig of mint.
  • Preparing Time: -
  • Total Time: -
  • Served Person: Makes 5 to 6 servings
Moroccan Salad Vegetable Appetizer Side No-Cook Quick & Easy Carrot Vegan Vegetarian Pescatarian Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free No Sugar Added Kosher
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • Carbohydrate 9 g(3%)
  • Fat 10 g(15%)
  • Fiber 2 g(9%)
  • Protein 1 g(2%)
  • Saturated Fat 1 g(3%)
  • Sodium 101 mg(4%)
  • Calories 119

Preparation In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days to allow the flavors to meld and permeate the carrots. Served chilled or at room temperature. VARIATIONS Moroccan Cooked Carrot Salad (Shlata Chizo Metbucha): o not grate the carrots, but cut them on a diagonal into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cook in gently boiling water until crisp-tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water, and drain again. Toss with the dressing as above. **Moroccan Carrot-Orange Salad (Shlata Chizo):**Omit the cumin and add 1 1/2 teaspoons orange blossom water or 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup chopped fresh spearmint, and, if desired, 1 tablespoon sugar or honey. **Turkish Carrot Salad with Yogurt (Havuc Salatasi):**Substitute 1 cup plain yogurt for the lemon juice. Reprinted with permission from Olive Trees and Honey by Gil Marks. © 2004 Wiley Publishing, Inc.

Preparation In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days to allow the flavors to meld and permeate the carrots. Served chilled or at room temperature. VARIATIONS Moroccan Cooked Carrot Salad (Shlata Chizo Metbucha): o not grate the carrots, but cut them on a diagonal into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cook in gently boiling water until crisp-tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water, and drain again. Toss with the dressing as above. **Moroccan Carrot-Orange Salad (Shlata Chizo):**Omit the cumin and add 1 1/2 teaspoons orange blossom water or 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup chopped fresh spearmint, and, if desired, 1 tablespoon sugar or honey. **Turkish Carrot Salad with Yogurt (Havuc Salatasi):**Substitute 1 cup plain yogurt for the lemon juice. Reprinted with permission from Olive Trees and Honey by Gil Marks. © 2004 Wiley Publishing, Inc.