This beautiful Sweet And Sour Carrot Salad is sure to impress and will forever change the way you look at the humble carrot. It will also simplify your entertaining as it is suitable for many people with specific dietary requirements, being gluten-free and vegan.
It contains roasted carrots which I toss in a Sicilian-style, agrodolce dressing. “Agrodolce” translates as “agro” meaning sour and “dolce” meaning sweet. Sweet and sour flavour combinations are popular throughout the world; there are versions in the USA, Asia and Europe. A little research has revealed that there is also dishes containing these flavours in Iran and Peru. This has caused me to ponder; are sweet and sour opposites? Or are they simply two different flavours? One thing is certain, these two contrasting flavours complement each other beautifully.
To make this salad, I begin by roasting the carrots. Without doubt, one of my favourite ways of preparing vegetables is to roast them. It brings out their sweetness, with the edges of the vegetables becoming slightly charred, adding depth of flavour.
I have sliced the carrots on a mandoline. If you don’t have a mandoline, there are several optional ways to slice them. You could use a vegetable peeler but I find there’s too much wastage that way. I suggest you use a very sharp knife, and either cut them thinly on the diagonal or cut them lengthways into thin batons. Some food processors have attachments for slicing, but the thickness of the slices tends to vary. To make it really simple, just cut thin rounds of carrot. The beautiful flavours of the salad will still be there, despite the shape of the carrot pieces.
After slicing the carrots, toss them in olive oil, season with salt and pepper, place them on a roasting tray and roast until they are tender and slightly charred.
Meanwhile, in a dry, non-stick frying pan, roast some pine nuts, being careful not to become distracted as they will burn the moment you turn your back. To make the dressing, use the same frying pan, wiping it out first with a piece of paper towel. Add some olive oil to the pan and fry some thinly sliced red onion. When the onion is tender, add the currants, sugar and white wine vinegar. Stir to combine and dissolve the sugar. That’s the dressing prepared.
When the carrots are tender, turn them into a shallow dish, add the dressing and gently toss them together. Just prior to serving, top the carrots with pine nuts, and mint if using. Allow the salad to sit for an hour or two for the flavours to develop.
This is an adaptable salad. I like to include mint with the carrots, but today I have divided the salad into one bowl with mint and one without as I’m aware that some people don’t like this herb. So, I encourage you to make it your own. Add a little chopped parsley if you like a touch of green, as I do. If you don’t care for currants, add sultanas/golden raisins or slightly sweetened, dried cranberries. In place of pine nuts, you could use toasted, flaked almonds.
And if you ever have any roasted carrots left over from a previous meal, this would be a great way to dress them up and serve them as a salad, using them as a completely different dish.
I do hope you will try this lovely salad, or one of our other Delicious Salad Recipes. Please let me know in the comments below if you do.
Xx Alex and Faye
Sweet and Sour Carrot Salad
Ingredients
- 500 g carrots washed and peeled, tops trimmed
- 3 tbsp olive oil extra virgin, divided *
- 2 tbsp pine nuts
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar *
- 2 tbsp caster/superfine sugar *
- 2 tbsp currants
- sea salt * and black pepper to taste
- fresh mint, finely sliced optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 200 Degrees C (400 F).
- Using a mandoline, slice the carrots in long, thin strips.*
- Place in a medium-sized bowl, and toss with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil & season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Place onto a baking tray which is lined with non-stick baking paper.Bake for about 15 minutes, turning once or twice until the carrot is tender and the edges are slightly charred.
- Place the carrot in a shallow dish.
- Meanwhile, place the pine nuts in a non-stick frying pan over medium heat, and toss or stir them until they are golden brown. I immediately turn them into a small bowl to stop them toasting further in the remaining heat.Wipe the frying pan with a piece of paper towel.
- Using the same frying pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the thinly sliced red onion.Cook the onion over low-medium heat until it has softened.
- Add the white wine vinegar, sugar and currants to the frying pan. Turn off the heat and stir to combine and dissolve the sugar.*Do not leave the dressing to simmer; the vinegar will reduce too much.
- Pour the dressing over the carrots and toss gently to combine.Check to see if the salad requires more seasoning.Stand for 2 hours if possible to allow the flavours to develop.Before serving, top the salad with the toasted pine nuts and mint if using.
Notes
*If you don’t have a mandoline, see the alternative slicing methods in the text above.
*I prefer to use extra virgin olive oil; it has a superior flavour.
*For best flavour, I always use sea salt. My preference is for Maldon sea salt flakes.
*Add a little more white wine vinegar if you prefer a sharper dressing. I taste the dressing before I add it, being mindful that the carrots will be carrying some oil.
*I use caster/superfine sugar as the finer granules dissolve more readily than regular sugar.
*I love the flavour of mint, but I am aware that not everyone feels that way. Serve the carrots plain, or, for a touch of green, some finely chopped parsley.
So delicious! My family all enjoyed this!
That’s great, Katie – thank you for letting me know!
A delicious side salad for BBQ’s and parties. Great flavours and so easy to make too!
Thank you for the lovely comments, Beth, I am so happy that you enjoyed the Carrot Salad, thank you. 🙂
What a great way to serve carrots. The toasted pine nuts are a great addition.
Thank you, Laura! I am glad you enjoyed this salad 🙂
I’ve made this several times already and it’s become my favorite way to eat carrots because it’s so healthy and light! I usually use dried cranberries and walnuts since that’s what I have on hand most of the time. Next time, I’ll have to try it with pine nuts! So delicious!
Harriet, I am so pleased that you enjoy our Sweet and Sour Carrot Salad; it is one of my favourites. Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
This sweet and sour carrot salad is so delicious and also so beautiful! I love the way the carrots are prepared into pretty ribbons.
Hello Emily, I am delighted to hear that you enjoyed my Sweet and Sour Carrot Salad. Thank you for taking the time to let me know. 🙂
This is so yummy and easy to make as well!!
Thank you Danielle!
This is absolutely wonderful and I love the sweet and sour combo! Delicious side!
Thank you Catherine!
This is absolutely incredible. So creative, and full of delicious flavour.
Thank you so much, I am delighted that you like this recipe. 🙂
I adore pine nuts. For me they totally make a salad. So colourful with the carrot.
And I love the texture they provide Fiona. They’re a great addition to the salad. 🙂
A different and tasty way to eat carrots in a healthy way!
Please let me know if you try the salad Cristina. 🙂
Yummy! The carrot salad looks so delicious. I normally much carrots raw unless I cook them in stews. Haven’t thought of salad so I would love to try it too!
Thank you Dalene, please let me know if you try this recipe. 🙂
Everything looks so delicious, love the recipe. I’ve never thought of combining pine nuts with carrots.
Hi Georgia, it is a really interesting salad. I look forward to hearing if you try it. 🙂
I love carrot and I love salad! I am adding it to my daily food list!
Thank you so much, I do hope that you enjoy it. 🙂
I do agree that roasting the veggies gives out a yummy flavor. This sounds a really tasty dish!
I like this salad very much Chelle, it has some lovely, interesting flavours. 🙂