This Colorful Citrus Baby Carrot Salad is as delicious as it is stunning. It’s like an edible painting. A little bit sweet, and a little bit spicy, every bite is an explosion of flavor!
A couple of days ago I told you that Melissa’s Produce has declared the Shishito Pepper to be the most trendy pepper of 2017.
And today it’s a key ingredient in a salad that’s trendy for other reasons.
Yep, variety in produce colors is a trend this year. I always love making colorful salads, so this will be fun!
Colorful Citrus Baby Carrot Salad
A mix of vibrant colors on a plate can stimulate the appetite and well, it’s just so pretty to look at!
And it’s so fun to play with produce in this way — especially when we have such delicious and interesting choices available to us.
Creating a plate like this always feels like art — it’s like painting with the ingredients.
I’ve chosen specific citrus varieties for this salad that I love and that are currently in season. Though, you can use whatever you’d like! You’ll start to see blood oranges in the markets soon, and the red would be a lovely addition.
It’s hard to beat the beauty of a blood orange!
I adore the seedless Cara Cara oranges — for their sweet flavor and gorgeous pink color!
You could also use a small Ruby grapefruit for a similar color and orange, oranges.
I used the sweet, small Neapoliton tangerines and from Melissa’s Produce, as well as their super convenient, already peeled, baby carrots that come in a variety of colors. (I just saw that you can also get them at Trader Joe’s.)
Whatever citrus you select, it’s sure to be beautiful, and one of the most fun, colorful salads ever.
Be sure to taste citrus when you can before purchasing — the Farmers Markets typically offer samples, and you can always ask the manager of the produce section in grocery stores. I’ve never had anyone say no, and you definitely want to be sure it tastes as good as it looks! 🙂
Enjoy every last beautiful bite of this Colorful Citrus Baby Carrot Salad!
This is not a sponsored post — Melissa’s Produce invited me to a media event to learn about produce trends of 2017, and I was given a variety of produce for recipe testing. As always, all opinions are my own.
*Please note that you will have to sauté the Shishito peppers before assembling this salad. It should 10 minutes. (Here's how to sauté the Shishito peppers.)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon chili paste (I like Sambal Oelek)
- 6 baby carrots, varying in color
- 1 dozen sautéed Shishito peppers here's How to Sauté Shishitos
- 3 to 4 small tangerines, (Neapolitan, Satsuma, and/or Ojai Pixies are great)
- 2 Cara Cara oranges
- 1 Cocktail Grapefruit
- a few chives for garnish, finely chopped
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In a very small bowl, mix the lemon juice with the honey and chili paste. Set aside.
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Fill a small bowl with ice water and set aside. Then peel the carrots and cut off the tops, leaving about 1/2 inch on. Place them in a steamer basket and steam over medium-high heat just until they're easily pierced with a fork, about 5 to 7 minutes.
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As soon as the carrots are done, add them to the bowl of ice water for a few seconds. (This stops the cooking process and helps keep the color.) Pat the carrots dry with a paper bowl and then slice them in half lengthwise. Set aside.
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Keeping them whole, peel the tangerines and then slice them horizontally into even-sized rounds, about 1/4-inch.
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Use a paring knife to peel the grapefruit and oranges. First, slice about ½-inch off of each end. Then stand them on one of their flat surfaces, and use the knife to carefully cut just between the pith and flesh, moving the knife downwards and following the curve of the fruit. Continue until peeled. (Here's a photographic guide to peeling citrus this way.)
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Now slice the oranges and grapefruit horizontally into even-sized rounds, about 1/4-inch. (The grapefruit will have seeds -- just use the tip of a knife to remove them.)
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Now arrange the peppers, carrots and citrus evenly among four plates.
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Sprinkle each one with the chives and drizzle with the dressing.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
January 17, 2017 at 6:32 pmThat is such a beautiful salad! I love all those colors. This would be so perfect for a fancy brunch!
valentina says
January 17, 2017 at 7:45 pmThanks, Liz! 😀
Tracy | Baking Mischief says
January 17, 2017 at 9:13 pmI’m already behind on the 2017 trends. I’ve never even heard of a Shishito pepper!! I should totally get acquainted with them though, because this salad looks amazing. Absolutely gorgeous, and I am so with you on Cara Cara oranges. I can’t wait till they hit the shelves here in southern California. Seems like it should be any time now.
valentina says
January 17, 2017 at 11:15 pmHi Tracy, You’re not behind! I just got a sneak peak. Keep your eye out on menus for Shishitos, and I’ve been seeing Cara Caras at Gelson’s and Trader Joe’s in S. Cal! 😀 Thanks for visiting!
Meeta says
January 18, 2017 at 1:34 amSuch a vibrant looking salad with some great flavor combination. Need to check up on the trends for 2017!
valentina says
January 18, 2017 at 7:43 pmThank you! So fun seeing what food is trendy! 🙂
Sandhya Hariharan says
January 18, 2017 at 1:41 amThis Salad is absolutely amazing.. With so much of color splash on my plate, I would have them all. Never heard of Shishito pepper!! Guess its the new in trend thingy for 2017.
valentina says
January 18, 2017 at 7:44 pmThank you so much! Keep your eye out for Shishitos! And lots of pretty colors! 🙂
Silvia says
January 18, 2017 at 1:54 amOh my, I just love the colors on that plate. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I have to try it. 🙂
valentina says
January 18, 2017 at 7:45 pmAnd thank you for checking it out!
David says
January 21, 2017 at 6:04 amSuch wonderful colors – both in the citrus and the carrots! I love all the colors in which carrots can be bought now… and, I will always thank you for introducing me too Cara Cara oranges! They are so incredibly good.
valentina says
January 21, 2017 at 8:34 pmThanks so much, David! So happy you are still loving the Cara Caras! I see them all over these days. 🙂
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
January 23, 2017 at 7:27 amCitrus is being picked at the present time in our county and I’m always looking for new ways to use it. Love your colorful salad.
valentina says
January 23, 2017 at 12:58 pmThanks so much, Karen! I just love citrus seaason. 🙂