Carrot, Tangerine and Pomegranate Salad
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A beautiful simple salad recipe for fall and winter — shaved rainbow carrots with sweet tangerine dressing and fresh pomegranate seeds.
This carrot tangerine salad came about after visiting the last farmer’s market of the year in my neck of New Jersey.
I’m still wrapping my head around that fact…can’t we push the “Pause”button so that I can resume my summer?
No? Well, okay. I hereby accept there was a major interruption in my usual flow of life. Moving on!
While living in the moment, I scooped up this gorgeous bunch of heirloom carrots in rainbow colors before the market closed.
I was going to throw them in a roasting pan – my usual modus operandi – but changed my mind when I saw the jeweled-colored ribbons that coiled on my cutting board as I started to peel the carrots, and decided to make a salad instead.
Tangerine juice is super-sweet, especially so after reducing to a light syrup. It makes a pure, simple dressing when paired with olive oil and plays so nicely with carrots.
I can see this salad taking up residence on my table for the next few months; starting with Thanksgiving and all through the holiday season.
Carrot, Tangerine and Pomegranate Salad
Ingredients
- ¾ teaspoon coriander seed
- 3 juicy tangerines, such as Murcott or Satsuma variety
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped shallot
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Kosher salt
- 4 medium carrots, about 4 ounces each; scrubbed
- 2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
- Fresh pomegranate seeds
Instructions
- Put the coriander seeds in a small (5-8-inches) skillet set over medium heat. Toast about 5 minutes, just until the seeds become fragrant. Remove from the pan.
- Halve 2 of the tangerines and squeeze the juice into the same skillet. Bring to a boil and reduce to 2 tablespoons.
- Coarsely crush the coriander seeds in a mortar and pestle or by using the flat side of a large chef’s knife on a cutting board. Combine the coriander with the reduced tangerine juice, shallot, honey and ½ teaspoon salt in a bowl.
- Peel the remaining tangerine and divide into segments and add to the juice mixture.
- If your carrots are especially dirty give them a quick surface peel with a swivel peeler and discard them. Shave the carrots into ribbons, turning to include all sides (you’ll be left with a slender core, which is the cook’s treat).
- Pile the carrot ribbons into a large mixing bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Add a good pinch of salt and gently massage with your hands to coat. Pour the tangerine mixture over and toss again.
- Serve the carrot salad with some pomegranate seeds sprinkled on top.
Karen’s Notes and Tips
- The easiest way to get a good pile of ribbons is to choose those that are about 7″ long and 1 1/2 ” in diameter.
- Also, look for tangerines feel heavy as they will be juicy. Seedless clementines, which are perfect for eating out of hand, will not yield enough juice for the dressing.
Nutrition
Hey, I’m Karen
Creator of Familystyle Food
I’m a food obsessed super-taster and professionally trained cook ALL about creating elevated dinners with everyday ingredients. Find simplified recipes made from scratch and enjoy incredibly tasty food! Read more about me here.
I can’t wait to try this — it looks like something I will be eating all winter!! XO –L
I love your salad. It’s simple but original. I’m sooo going to try it v. soon 🙂
What a gorgeous salad! And I’m sure it tastes lovely as well. Pinned! x
Such a pretty salad! I never know what to do with pomegranate, but this combination with carrot sounds just about perfect. 🙂
Thank you – happy to know!
Gorgeous! Love the photos as always!
This gorgeous photo drew me in and had me quickly clicking to come on over. So glad I did! Your blog is just beautiful! So nice to have found you! This is so pretty and sounds so delicious…I may make this as a Thanksgiving side dish.
omg karen, talk about eating with your eyes first…what a spectacular tableau and i’m sure it tastes as amazing as it looks!
How gorgeous, I love the carrot shavings!