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    Home » Recipes » Salad Recipes

    Published: Apr 22, 2015 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, goat cheese, salad topper and harissa-preserved lemon dressing {GF}

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    Plate with roasted carrots salad
    Plate with roasted carrots salad
    Moroccan carrot salad with harissa cilantro dressing
    Plate with roasted carrots salad
    Blog146_Img2_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper

    Middle Eastern whole roasted carrots are dressed in a mixture of cilantro, harissa and preserved lemons, and topped with goat cheese, olives, and the excellent nuts and fruit Original Salad Topper from Natursource.

    These Middle Eastern roasted carrots offer a side dish that can hold its own against any main course!

    This is a sponsored post and I received monetary compensation for it, but all opinions expressed here are my own. I am proud to support a local, family-owned business whose product I truly appreciate, and I thank you for supporting my sponsors.

    Jump to:
    • Middle Eastern whole roasted carrots are dressed in a mixture of cilantro, harissa and preserved lemons, and topped with goat cheese, olives, and the excellent nuts and fruit Original Salad Topper from Natursource.
    • A Punchy Middle Eastern Carrot Salad
    • Seasoned crunchy Natursource Salad Toppers
    • Why you are going to LOVE this Moroccan Carrots Salad
    • Additional Carrot recipes:
    • When to serve
    • Ingredients
    • Directions
    • Accompanying dishes
    • FAQ
    • Recipe
    Blog146_Img16_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper

    A Punchy Middle Eastern Carrot Salad

    If you've been following this blog for any length of time, you'll know that I'm a big fan of salads. But I'm not talking about your run-of-the-mill, lettuce/tomato/cucumber salads (though I do like the occasional Israeli salad). My go-to salads are hefty, multi-ingredient affairs that fill up your greens and protein quota, as well as your gut!

    And today's Middle Eastern whole roasted carrots with olives, goat cheese, salad topper and harissa-preserved lemon dressing are a Middle Eastern carrot salad that brings together some of my favourite Middle Eastern flavours (carrots, punchy harissa, preserved lemon, olives) with the rustic beauty of farm-to-table eating.

    Blog146_Img13_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper

    Seasoned crunchy Natursource Salad Toppers

    My great love for salads is why I was particularly happy to partner with Natursource to help promote their new line of salad toppers.

    This Moroccan carrot salad is the first of a few dishes that I've developed with their incredible products, each of which was good enough for a snack on its own (and dangerously depleted the supply I had to work with).

    And if you're really curious, spoiler alert - not everything I've made with the salad toppers has been a salad!

    The grand daddy of the Natursource salad line, the Original Salad Topper offers a boost of flavour and protein in a colourful blend of ruby red cranberries, crunchy cashews, pumpkin and Tamari-flavoured sunflower seeds.

    Rich in antioxidants, fibre and vitamin E, and entirely vegan, this product offers an excellent way to add plant-based proteins to your grain-free meals. That way, even if all you've got on hand is lettuce, cucumbers and tomatoes, your salad will still taste - and look - inviting.

    Natursource original salad topper is available for purchase on Amazon, with free shipping through Prime! Which, if you're lazy like me, is a big bonus).

    Blog146_Img14_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper

    Why you are going to LOVE this Moroccan Carrots Salad

    These whole roasted carrots in a Middle Eastern harissa dressing are:

    • Punchy in flavor - the dressing is really bold and stands on its own. Dressed in a mixture of cilantro, harissa and preserved lemons, and topped with goat cheese, olives, and the excellent nuts and fruit Original Salad Topper from Natursource, these Middle Eastern roasted carrots offer a side dish that can hold its own against any main course.
    • Provide an alternative to grain and carb-heavy meals - there are so many layers of flavor in these whole roasted carrots, that any vegetarian at the table would be happy
    • Gluten free
    • Filling - the granola crunch really adds filling value to this dish
    • Beautiful - with their fall inspired colors, this Moroccan spiced carrots dish is a joy to look at - and eat!
    • Great fall dish - whole roasted carrots in three colors would look great on any Thanksgiving, Rosh Hashana or Sukkot table.
    Blog146_Img3_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper

    Additional Carrot recipes:

    If you like the strong flavors of this Moroccan carrot salad, you may like the following carrot recipes:

    • Carrot salad in a bowl
      Spicy Moroccan carrot salad {V, GF, Paleo}
    • Carrot soup
      Moroccan carrot soup with chermoula
    • Winter dilly carrot and zucchini curry
      Winter dilly zucchini and carrot curry {V, GF, Paleo}
    • Carrot dill soup
      Carrot dill soup {GF, V}
    • tagine served in a tagine pot
      How to bring Marrakesh into your home with vegan orange tagine with peaches
    Blog146_Img6_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper
    Blog146_Img7_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper

    When to serve

    These Moroccan spiced carrots would be great in the fall.

    With their mix of colors, these whole roasted carrots would look especially great on a Thanksgiving table.

    They would also be great served for the high Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashana, with its emphasis on eating carrots as one of the 7 simanim.

    But these Moroccan roasted carrots are a universal dish. Based on what you serve along with them, these Moroccan roasted carrots will work in fall, winter or spring, and pair well with red and strong white wines.

    And the best part is? Besides roasting the carrots and pureeing the dressing, it takes very little active work.

    For more fall recipes like this:

    • A white mug of aguapanela garnished with a cinnamon stick and lime slice.
      Traditional Colombian Aguapanela (Sugar Cane Drink)
    • brussels sprouts in bowl
      Crispy Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Feta, Pomegranate and Balsamic
    • salad overhead with dressing
      Moroccan Couscous Salad Recipe with Israeli Couscous (Pearl Couscous Salad Recipe)
    • pan fried halloumi salad on a plate with napkin and wooden spoon
      Copycat Aroma Espresso Bar Fried Halloumi Salad Recipe
    Blog146_Img12_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper

    Ingredients

    More of a side dish than a salad, really, these Middle Eastern roasted carrots will convince anyone that a salad can be a serious dish to contend with.

    Before you run off to make it, some words about the ingredients:

    • Whole carrots - as is expected in a Middle Eastern whole roasted carrots dish, the star of the show here are the carrots. Choose nice firm whole carrots in a variety of colors.
    • Harissa - harissa is a strong Middle Eastern condiment, and its spice level varies from tube to homemade jar. You would do well to taste your harissa before putting it into the dressing, and if you're sensitive to spice, put just a dab of it in - or omit entirely to protect the most sensitive diners.
    • Goat cheese - roasted carrots and goat cheese make for a great combination. You can substitute it with feta as well.
    • Olives - they add a punch of salt to these whole roasted carrots. You can use any olives you like, but green olives are traditional for a Moroccan recipe.
    • Preserved Lemons - they give this salad a special taste. I recommend making your own according to this homemade preserved lemons recipe. If you don't like them or can't source them, replace with regular lemon juice.
    • Original Salad Topper - To try these Middle-Eastern roasted carrots, pile on the Original Salad Topper, and amaze any salad-skeptics with the flavours of preserved lemons, harissa and olives. You can also replace with your selection of pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries.

    Where to source Middle Eastern specialty ingredients:

    I recommend the following Middle Eastern specialty ingredients found in this Middle Eastern Carrot Salad:

    Blog146_Img8_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper

    Directions

    Roast carrots:

    Preheat oven to 400F. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper.

    Quarter carrots into spears, or leave whole for whole roasted carrots. Arrange carrots on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until carrots have softened and browned in some parts.

    Arrange Moroccan roasted carrots on a large platter. Rip goat cheese with your fingers and drop in haphazard clumps on top of carrots. Top with with olives and salad topper.

    Blog146_Img15_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper

    Make harissa sauce:

    To make sauce, put all remaining ingredients but the oil in a blender or food processor. Process on low or using pulse action (depending on the settings of your blender) until herbs have chopped finely and the lemon has been broken into pieces (you may need to push the contents down with a spatula a few times).

    Start processing on a higher speed, adding the oil slowly, until dressing has completely emulsified. To thin out the texture a little bit, add water one tablespoon at a time.

    Distribute oil with a spoon on top of the Middle Eastern carrot salad, and serve.

    Blog146_Img10_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper

    Accompanying dishes

    Serve this Middle Eastern carrot salad with the following dishes:

    • two stuffed peppers
      Moroccan Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers With Rice, Cilantro And Baharat
    • salmon cauliflower olives on a plate
      Have an exotic easy weeknight dinner with one pan baked Moroccan salmon
    • close on middle eastern rice bowl
      4-Step Easy Middle Eastern Tofu Rice Bowl
    • two bowls of soup with ingredients
      Creamy roasted eggplant soup recipe that is made in one pan
    • apple appetizers grazing board
      4 Easy Middle Eastern Apple Appetizers that Will Make any Holiday Entertaining a Breeze
    • How to Make the Ultimate Middle Eastern appetizer platter with our best mezze recipes {V, GF, Paleo}

    FAQ

    How long will this Middle Eastern carrot salad keep?

    Middle Eastern roasted whole carrots will keep in the fridge for 5 days in an airtight container.

    Can you freeze whole roasted carrots?

    Yes, Moroccan whole roasted carrots can be frozen without the salad topper or goat cheese.

    Do you peel your carrots before roasting?

    No, I don't peel my carrots. There are a lot of nutrients in the peel, and when you get nice local carrots all you need to do is wash them well.

    Can you make Middle Eastern carrot salad ahead of time?

    Yes! You can make the harissa-preserved lemon dressing one day, roast the carrots another, and combine all the ingredients right before serving.

    Blog146_Img9_Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, harissa, preserved lemon and Natursource salad topper

    Liked this post? Share it with your friends! For more At the Immigrant’s Table, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Bloglovin’, or Twitter, subscribe to my mailing list, or contact me about advertising and becoming a sponsor. If you make one of my recipes, don’t forget to tag it #immigrantstable @immigrantstable!

    Tried and loved this recipe? Please leave a 5-star review below! Your reviews mean a lot to me, so if you've got any questions, please let me know in a comment.

    Recipe

    Plate with roasted carrots salad

    Middle Eastern roasted carrots with olives, goat cheese, salad topper and harissa-preserved lemon dressing

    Ksenia Prints
    A strong dish that offers an alternative to grain and carb-heavy meals. Dressed in a mixture of cilantro, harissa and preserved lemons, and topped with goat cheese, olives, and the excellent nuts and fruit Original Salad Topper from Natursource, these Middle Eastern roasted carrots offer a side dish that can hold its own against any main course.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 35 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine Israeli, Jewish, Middle Eastern, Moroccan
    Servings 4
    Calories 297 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 12 medium-sized carrots of mixed colours
    • ¼ cup goat cheese
    • 1 cup green or black olives pitted and chopped
    • ½ cup Natursource original salad topper or a mix of cashews, cranberries and pumpkin and sunflower seeds
    • ½ preserved lemon Follow this recipe to make your own: https://immigrantstable.com/spiced-preserved-lemons/
    • 1 large handful cilantro chopped roughly
    • 1 TB honey
    • ½ teaspoon harissa
    • ¼ cup olive oil and more for roasting the carrots
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400F.
    • Cover baking sheet with parchment paper. Quarter carrots into spears, or leave as whole carrots. Arrange carrots on baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until carrots have softened and browned in some parts.
    • Arrange carrots on a large platter. Rip goat cheese with your fingers and drop in haphazard clumps on top of carrots. Top with with olives and salad topper.
    • To make sauce, put all remaining ingredients but the oil in a blender or food processor. Process on low or using pulse action (depending on the settings of your blender) until herbs have chopped finely and the lemon has been broken into pieces (you may need to push the contents down with a spatula a few times). Start processing on a higher speed, adding the oil slowly, until dressing has completely emulsified. To thin out the texture a little bit, add water one tablespoon at a time.
    • Distribute oil with a spoon on top of the roasted carrots, and serve.

    Notes

    Harissas vary in spice levels, so taste your harissa before putting in the full ½ tsp. And though it's available on Amazon, you can substitute the Natursource salad topper with a mix of nuts and seeds of your choice.
    If you want, make your own preserved lemons according to this homemade preserved lemon recipe
    To substitute Natursource salad topper, use a mix of cashews, cranberries and pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 297kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 5gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 714mgPotassium: 611mgFiber: 6gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 30889IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 99mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword carrots, cilantro, cranberries, gluten-free, goat cheese, grain-free, lemon, olives, preserved lemon, pumpkin seeds, Sukkot, Thanksgiving, vegan option, vegetarian
    Tried this recipe?Comment + Rate Below!
    Connect on Instagram!Find us @immigrantstable

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    Comments

    1. Sarah says

      April 22, 2015 at 6:54 pm

      Holy smokes!

      • kseniaprints says

        May 01, 2015 at 10:56 am

        Adding a smokey flavour to this would also be nice!

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    Privet, I am Ksenia Prints! A food and travel blogger, photographer and storyteller. I help adventurous home cooks explore the world through healthy, beautiful immigrant recipes.

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