Mediterranean Carrot Salad

Have you heard of a spiralizer?  There are many varieties on the market but essentially it’s a kitchen gadget that transforms a vegetable into something that looks like spaghetti, like this one.  It sounds like a great invention, but I don’t know if I’d use it more than twice before the cool factor wore off.  Do you have one?  And if so, do you think it was worth the investment?

I decided to resort to my good old fashioned peeler instead to see if I could create a meal similar to what a spiralizer would produce.  Peeling carrots seemed like a natural idea, so I created this light and healthy salad that has a little Mediterranean flair to it.

03Mediterranean Carrot Salad

Mediterranean Carrot Salad Recipe
(2 servings)

Ingredients for Lemon Dressing:

  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • pinch of salt
  • pinch of black pepper

Ingredients for Carrot Salad:

  • 2 large carrots
  • lemon dressing
  • 2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
  • 3 ounces feta cheese, chopped

Directions for the Lemon Dressing:

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper.  Set it aside.

Directions for the Carrot Salad:

  1. Using a peeler, peel the outer layer of each carrot and throw those peels away.
  2. Make strips of carrot by running the peeler down the length of the carrot.
  3. Place the carrot laces into the lemon dressing bowl and gently mix everything together.
  4. Separate the carrot laces onto 2 plates.
  5. Sprinkle half of the sunflower seeds and chopped feta cheese on top of each serving.

Source:  Tina’s Chic Corner

 

Simple, simple, simple here, people.  When you are working with fresh ingredients, you don’t need a lot of them to make a tasty meal.

I love the contrasting textures of the soft feta cheese and crunchy carrots and sunflower seeds.  The feta also adds a lovely salty taste and complements the lemon herbed dressing.  Let’s face it, feta is awesome and when you call something “Mediterranean” it’s a required ingredient.     😉

05Mediterranean Carrot Salad

My carrot “strings” don’t look like the spaghetti strings that a spiralizer would have produced.  They are more like long egg noodle shaped.  I think I produced a lovely looking salad (and I saved myself some moola by not buying a new kitchen gadget).  After all, a tasty meal is really all about the recipe so unless a spiralizer comes with a fantastic recipe book I think I’ll hold off on the purchase (at least for now).

02Mediterranean Carrot Salad

I enjoyed this salad for lunch but it also makes for a great side dish.

 

Rating:

4 Hats

 

Here are some other sexy salads.

Greek Quinoa Salad

02Greek Quinoa Salad

Indian Chickpea Salad

02Indian Chickpea Salad

White Beans and Couscous with Fresh Tomato Salad

05White Beans Couscous Tomato Salad

Comments

  1. Ashley says:

    I’ve never bought one – I always just use my veggie peeler too! I’ve thought about it but can’t seem to take the plunge and buy it!

    This salad looks amazing – love that you added the sunflower seeds and feta! And with the lemon dressing … delicious!

    1. Tina says:

      Hmmm, bets as to how long it will take for either of us to give in and buy one? 😉

  2. What a cool idea! I’ve never had a carrot salad, but it’s so bright and lovely, I’ll have to give this a try 🙂

    1. Tina says:

      Glad you like. 🙂

  3. Oh is that what they are called, we had a commercial one in the kitchen when I was an apprentice chef, it was operated by winding orrrrrr…. If you were producing epic amounts, we took the handle off and used a drill. Sooo much fun!
    Love the salad, its beautiful, I admire you peeling it old school too, I wouldnt have the patience to do that.

    1. Tina says:

      I’m actually surprised that I had the patience. Doubt it will last. 😉

  4. Mary Frances says:

    You made it without a spiralizer? No way, that is awesome! It turned out beautifully – the color is so eye catching! Healthy, easy, and beautiful is where it is all at! Great job Tina!

    1. Tina says:

      Thank you, my friend. 🙂

  5. So impressed you did this without a spiralizer! I actually just got a spiralizer and I love it. Have yet to try making carrots though!

    1. Tina says:

      Ooh, I can’t wait to see what recipes you create with your new purchase. 🙂

  6. I’ve heard so much of the spiralizer but never bought it. Glad the good ole carrot peeler can work wonders too. This salad looks amazing!!

    1. Tina says:

      Lol… thanks, my friend! 🙂

  7. I don’t have a spiralizer, probably because I’d be afraid of using it a few times, then leaving it to take up valuable space in my kitchen cabinets. 🙂 I’m so pumped I can make this with my peeler, Tina! I bet the carrots give such a satisfying crunch, and I love the lemon dressing (and feta)!

    1. Tina says:

      Peel away! 😉

  8. I’ve never actually heard of a spiralizer before! Sounds interesting, but I think your salad looks beautiful with just using a peeler. The lemon dressing for this salad sounds delicious! And I love that you added sunflower seeds in here. Sounds perfect for this time of year!

  9. What a great looking dish Tina! So bright and colorful – and no, I’ve never made anything like this – which means it’s about time that I do so, right? 🙂

    1. Tina says:

      Right! 🙂

  10. Kelly says:

    Hehe I keep debating whether to get a spiralizer too but for now I just use my vegetable peeler 🙂 Love this salad! It sounds fantastic with the lemon dressing, feta and sunflower seeds!

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks so much Kelly! 🙂

  11. definitely need to get my hands on a spiralizer now.. i want my carrots to look that good in a salad!

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks so much! 🙂

  12. I do love my spiralizer, but your salad looks gorgeous without it! Pinned 🙂

    1. Tina says:

      Thanks so much for pinning! 🙂

  13. I love carrots, but I’ve never had a carrot-based salad before! This sounds so fresh and interesting to me, I have got to try it out instead of another boring lettuce salad with dinner!

    1. Tina says:

      You hit it right on! I was bored of lettuce and opted to try this, which was a wonderful change. 🙂

  14. 2 sisters recipes says:

    Hi Tina ! We love your recipes especially the zucchini spicy chips which I will try later this week. And this carrot salad sounds amazing as well. We have our moms Italian carrot salad recipe that we make all year long. Anyway, have a great week!
    Warmly, Anna and Liz

    1. Tina says:

      Thank you so much, ladies! That Italian carrot salad sounds amazing!! I hope you love the spicy zucchini chips as much as I do. I appreciate you stopping by. 🙂 Have a lovely Wednesday!

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