Good morning and Happy Friday!
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Today, I’m sharing a vibrant raw salad made with purple carrots and beets. These nutrient-packed vegetables are grated, and then tossed with fresh herbs and a bold citrus-harissa vinaigrette. After a brief rest in the fridge, the salad is finished with crumbles of salty feta cheese.
Carrots and beets have been showing up regularly in my weekly Specialty Produce Farmers Market Box, so I’ve been trying out all sorts of cooking preparations to use them up. This method of soaking grated veg in a spicy, acidic dressing is common in Moroccan cuisine. And it’s brilliant! The acid in the lemon juice tenderizes the grated beets and carrots while infusing with tons of flavor. Flavors here include orange, garlic, olive oil, paprika and harissa, a spicy, North African chile paste. Continue reading for the recipe.
I grated my carrots and beets with a Microplane box grater, but you could certainly use a food processor fitted with a grating disc to simplify the task. It’s really not hard to do it by hand though.
Recently, I read that lemon juice helps to remove beet stains from your hands, but I’ve yet to test this out. Does anyone know if it’s true? I usually just rinse my hands frequently while working with colorful vegetables (purple carrots stain too). That removes most of the pigment.
The dressing here is made with olive oil, orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice, garlic, paprika and harissa. Harissa has really become a staple at my house. Sometimes I’ve got my homemade version in the fridge, while other times I’ve got a tube of store-bought harissa at-the-ready.
Check out my recipe for Hard-Boiled Egg Toast with Harissa Butter here.
I partnered with Specialty Produce on this article. All thoughts, opinions and recipes shared in this article are my own. If you live in the San Diego area, and you’d like to sign up for a Specialty Produce Farmer’s Market Box, get details here!
I’ve got a number of other carrot recipes and beet recipes on Kitchen Konfidence. Check them out below!
Roasted Carrot, Fennel and Blood Orange Salad
Pickled Carrots with Dill and Serrano
Calavera Catrina Cocktail
Roasted Beet Salad with Creamy Caraway Dressing
Beet and Turnip Gratin
Roasted Beets with Red Onion, Poblano and Lime
Pickled Beet Deviled Eggs
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love beets and with the feta and that harissa, perfect salad!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Averie! It’s a good combo 🙂
Ben Maclain says
I love this kind of salads, and usually it’s quite a challenge to surprise me. But Brandon, you’ve nailed that! Not only is this salad delicious, but the pictures are amazing. Love this fabulous mess; If I were an owner of an art gallery, I would definitely opt for your work on display 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Aww thanks so much Ben!!
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
These are all striking salads, but I’m just such a sucker for beets (and feta and harissa) that that may sound the best. What a great combination of flavors!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Brian! I do love beets as well.
Sippitysup says
I can hear those beets screaming bloody murder all the way in Los Angeles. What a gorgeous way to for them to die. GREG
Brandon Matzek says
Haha yes!! I need to try this next time with golden beets and carrots to minimize the mess. But the purple is so pretty :). Thanks Greg!
cristina says
What a beautiful, vibrant and healthful salad, Brandon. Feta is always a fav and like the pairing of the mint and parsley. So, how long to get those beet stains fading from your hands? 😉
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Cristina :)!! Haha I washed them off shortly after taking the photo. I did have to wipe down my camera a bit too!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Brandon, this is what they call edible art that makes you feel good! Cheers!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much Arman!
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says
I love beets! This is absolutely gorgeous, I can’t get over all the pretty colors
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Lauren! I love beets too. So many pretty colors.
heather @french press says
what a gorgeous salad! I’m pretty sure the kids would pass, but that just means more for me 🙂
Brandon Matzek says
Yeah this might be a bit too adventurous for the kiddos, but perhaps the color would entice them ;)?
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
Brandon this looks so delicious and refreshing – I’m always a sucker for a salad with feta! Thanks for sharing. Your photographs are beautiful as well.
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Erin! I love feta as well. Adds a nice rich, salty note to the salad.
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
Like you, I adore beets. Though I will admit to feeling a bit awestruck when I look at my hands. That telltale red all over (and not just my hands) – if someone walked in mid-way through one of my beet adventures, they would think I was an axe murderer. The combinations in this salad are magnificent. I always buy my harissa – will have to try your recipe for homemade.
Brandon Matzek says
Haha yes! And an apron is a must to avoid clothing splatters. Thanks Laura!
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
I’m such a fan of beets it’s not even funny. Your salad is drop-dead gorgeous and I love the use of harissa here!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Faith!
Alyssa @ Simply Quinoa says
This salad is pure perfection. Seriously! The colors, the cheese and that harissa sauce? Oh my!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Alyssa. The color does make me smile 🙂
Laura says
I LOVE all of the color and flavors going on here! Such a great vegetable side dish for all of my favorite meat-centric Middle Eastern entrees!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Laura!! I actually served this with some grilled lamb.
Steph @ Steph in Thyme says
What stunning colors and flavors! I love the idea of soaking the veg in acidic dressing to tenderize. I wish I had a way to easily clean red beet juice off hands, I’m curious about lemon juice and will have to try it out!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Steph!! Let me know if that lemon trick works.
Maureen says
Hi Brandon! The pictures are amazing and I bet it taste really delicious too. It’s raw yet very vibrant! I would definitely love this salad recipe of yours. Thanks for sharing this!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much Maureen!