Carrot Slaw with Dates

Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: None | Total Time: 30 minutes | Serves:
Fresh, crunchy, sweet carrots take on a light citrus dressing, tossed with toasted walnuts and dates.
The carrots at the farmers’ markets are so beautiful and colorful…purple, yellow, white, orange. As tempted as I was to create and photograph this Carrot Slaw with the rainbow carrots, I didn’t want to deter anyone from making this recipe if they could not find the colorful varieties in their area.
Fresh carrots, walnuts, dates, and a citrus dressing is a perfect, crunchy side dish.
Carrots are full of beta-carotene. Did someone ever (or always?!) tell you to eat your carrots because they make your eyes sparkle? Maybe it is true. My husband still tells me I have pretty eyes.

This crunchy veggie also contains fiber, K1, potassium and antioxidants. The latter can fight off “free radicals” and help your body protect itself against dangerous chemicals taken into the body (LINK, very healthy). Don’t toss the green tops! They are just as healthy as the root veggie itself. Multiple sites give ideas such as chimichurri, pesto, salad greens, parsley substitute, etc. Just wash them very well as you would other greens; they are generally grown in sandy soil. Or, toss in your compost pile if that’s more your speed.

Sadly, carrots have been deemed “unhealthy” by some due to the rise of the keto diet. I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, so I’m not going to tell you not to eat them or to eat them, but allow you to look at your own health and determine your opinions.

Freshly grated carrots for Carrot Slaw with Dates.
Please, grate your carrots yourself, whether that is on a hand-held (guard those fingers and knuckles!) or in a food processor fitted with the grating attachment (of course, this method goes a lot faster). They will taste better than the convenient pre-shredded package in your produce section.
Citrus dressing adds brightness to Carrot Slaw with Dates.
Squeezing your own citrus really does make a difference. If you can take the time to purchase fresh fruit and squeeze your own, it’s well-worth it. Of course, if you already have the juices in bottles in your refrigerator and don’t have the time to go purchase, or just don’t want to spend any money on the fruits, use what you have. Taste as you make the dressing and adjust the ingredients as you like. (I like recipes that are easily adaptable to your taste’s preferences.)
Chopped Medjool dates give an earthy-sweetness to Carrot Slaw with Dates.
I used Medjool dates out of our produce department of a local grocery store, but dried dates are just fine! The larger the pieces of dates you chop, the less they stick together. Let me give you a heads-up… the dates have an “earthier” flavor than the sweetness of raisins or craisins you may be used to. It’s a little different. If you don’t think you’d like something like dates, substitute the same amount of golden raisins.

I do not serve a heavy dressing on this Carrot Slaw. I want the fresh, crunchy, slightly sweet vegetable to shine. The light, citrusy dressing pairs so well here. I did add a touch of a white balsamic vinegar in the dressing. You may omit it entirely if you would prefer. I used Cranberry-Pear White Balsamic Vinegar from Abingdon Olive Oil Company, out of Abingdon, Virginia. We love their oils and vinegars. It’s a really fun shop if you’re ever in the area and enjoy products such as these. Free taste testing and beautiful artisan pottery from local artists are available.

Carrot Slaw with Dates
Carrot Slaw with Dates comes together easily. There are some steps, toasting the walnuts, actually shredding your own carrots (highly recommended), and making a dressing. Easy steps with amazing, tasty results.

As the NIKE commercials (of my generation) created the slogan over two decades ago, “Just Do It.”

Enjoy!

Fresh, crunchy, sweet carrots take on a light citrus dressing, tossed with toasted walnuts and dates.

Carrot Slaw with Dates

Pantry To Table
Fresh carrots and sweet dates pair with a citrus dressing for a delicious and refreshing side dish.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Brunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 339.15 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 3/4 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted
  • 1 cup dates, chopped (or golden raisins)
  • 1 tablespoon Italian parsley, chopped

Citrus Dressing:

  • 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice, see Notes
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, zested and packed
  • 1 teaspoon white balsamic vinegar, (not white wine vinegar), optional, see Notes
  • 2 - 3 tablespoons honey, or agave syrup, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, or other neutral oil (avocado, etc.)
  • small pinch of sea salt, or to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a 1 or 2-cup measuring cup, combine the dressing ingredients thoroughly with a whisk. Taste for seasoning and adjust as desired. Set aside.
  • Toss the carrots, walnuts, and dates together in a medium bowl, separating the sticky dates.
  • Drizzle the dressing over the carrots and toss to coat everything thoroughly.
  • Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.
  • Serve immediately, or wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 2 days, for best results. Stir again before serving.

Notes

Leftovers can be kept refrigerated for up to 2 days. If you are not serving the slaw the day it is made, make the dressing and grate the carrots, keeping them in separate containers, and refrigerated until ready to use. Before serving, drizzle the dressing over the carrots and toss to combine.
It is not necessary to use the white balsamic vinegar, but it adds another layer of light sweetness to the dressing. I used Abingdon Olive Oil Company’s Cranberry Pear White Balsamic Vinegar. And, since the balsamic is light in color, it does not darken your finished dish at all. Nice!
 
Nutrition Facts
Carrot Slaw with Dates
Amount per Serving
Calories
339.15
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
18.46
g
28
%
Saturated Fat
 
1.97
g
12
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
10.28
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
5.31
g
Sodium
 
132.82
mg
6
%
Potassium
 
830.51
mg
24
%
Carbohydrates
 
44.52
g
15
%
Fiber
 
7.8
g
33
%
Sugar
 
31.66
g
35
%
Protein
 
5.23
g
10
%
Vitamin C
 
16.66
mg
20
%
Calcium
 
93.91
mg
9
%
Iron
 
1.44
mg
8
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword fresh carrots, carrot slaw, citrus dressing, summer and fall vegetables, fresh vegetable side dish, backyard barbecue side dish
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.