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.
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:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, oregano, salt and pepper. Set it aside.
Directions for the Carrot Salad:
- Using a peeler, peel the outer layer of each carrot and throw those peels away.
- Make strips of carrot by running the peeler down the length of the carrot.
- Place the carrot laces into the lemon dressing bowl and gently mix everything together.
- Separate the carrot laces onto 2 plates.
- 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. 😉
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).
I enjoyed this salad for lunch but it also makes for a great side dish.
Here are some other sexy salads.
White Beans and Couscous with Fresh Tomato Salad
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!
Hmmm, bets as to how long it will take for either of us to give in and buy one? 😉
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 🙂
Glad you like. 🙂
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.
I’m actually surprised that I had the patience. Doubt it will last. 😉
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!
Thank you, my friend. 🙂
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!
Ooh, I can’t wait to see what recipes you create with your new purchase. 🙂
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!!
Lol… thanks, my friend! 🙂
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)!
Peel away! 😉
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!
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? 🙂
Right! 🙂
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!
Thanks so much Kelly! 🙂
definitely need to get my hands on a spiralizer now.. i want my carrots to look that good in a salad!
Thanks so much! 🙂
I do love my spiralizer, but your salad looks gorgeous without it! Pinned 🙂
Thanks so much for pinning! 🙂
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!
You hit it right on! I was bored of lettuce and opted to try this, which was a wonderful change. 🙂
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
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!