Grated apple and carrot salad is a naturally sweet and refreshing dish blending crisp apples with crunchy carrots. This wholesome combination, albeit super simple, is perfect as a light dessert or healthy snack. Shall we?
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Grated apple and carrot salad (rendana salata od mrkve i jabuke), is as simple as it gets. That’s exactly why it works! It’s a dish that doesn’t need a recipe — just equal parts grated apples and carrots for a naturally sweet, satisfying treat.
Admittedly, the salad may seem basic.
However, back in the day, in the Balkans, it was a symbol of resourcefulness and love. The combination of flavors offers more than the sum of its parts. The apples bring a refreshing sweetness, while the carrots add a subtle, earthy crunch.
Combined, it's a balance of texture and taste, both nostalgic and timeless.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. Add a drizzle of lemon juice for a citrusy taste, or a sprinkle of cinnamon for warmth. It’s a versatile treat that honors the past while staying timelessly delicious.
Why You'll Love Grated Apple and Carrot Salad?
- Naturally Sweet, No Sugar Needed: The apples and carrots shine with their natural sweetness. Talk about a guilt-free indulgence! (Of course, you're welcome to add some sugar.)
- Quick and Simple: Ready in minutes, it’s a perfect go-to when you need something fast yet satisfying. (However, you can build on the flavor as you wish, by adding nuts, dried fruit, and seasonings.)
- Kid-Friendly and Nostalgic: A fun way to introduce kids to healthy eating while reminiscing about simpler times.
Ingredients
Simple as anything!
- Apples - We like the Granny Smiths, because their slight sourness offsets the sweetness of the carrots. However, any type of apple will do just fine.
- Carrots - Find sturdy, medium-sized ones. Avoid baby carrots.
- Optional - If you'd like to upgrade the salad, add nuts, lemon juice, berries, cinnamon, and/ or vanilla.
Instructions
Maybe the simplest Balkan Lunch Box instructions yet, but here are the steps for the grated apple and carrot salad.
Step 1. Wash, peel, core, and grate ingredients.
Step 2. Mix the ingredients together in a bowl.
Step 3. (Optional) Add optional ingredients per taste. Toss gently to combine.
More Apples and Carrots
Here are some apple and/ or carrot recipes you may like.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, apples and carrots together are a nutritional powerhouse.
Apples have vitamin C and flavonoids like quercetin. These help reduce inflammation.
Meanwhile, carrots are loaded with beta-carotene (vitamin A), essential for eye health.
The salad is so easy to make, it's best to eat it right away. If you plan to eat it later in the day, give it a few tablespoons of lemon juice to prevent browning.
Absolutely!
Our recipe is the basic, skeleton version of the grated carrot and apple salad for when you're on the go. You can build upon it based on what you like.
Some ideas: sugar and vanilla for sweetness, dried cranberries, figs, or raisins for softness, minced walnuts or almonds for more crunchiness, and cinnamon or nutmeg for warmth.
Handling
Here are some handling tips for the grated apple and carrot salad recipe.
- Serving: Serve right away.
- Storing: If not consuming immediately, add a few drops of lemon juice to prevent browning. For optimal freshness, store in the fridge in an airtight container and consume on the same day.
- Freezing: This salad should not be heated or frozen.
Thoughts?
If you make today's grated apple and carrot salad and like it, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5-star) rating. This will help others find the recipe more easily!
You can also leave a comment, I read EVERY one! Finally, if IG is more your thing, consider tagging us @balkanlunchbox.
Prijatno, Dobar Tek, and Bon Appetit!
Apple and Carrot Salad
Ingredients
- 4 apples granny smith, or other
- 4 carrots avoid baby carrots
- (Optional) 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
- (Optional) sugar to taste regular, vanilla sugar, or brown sugar
- (Optional) nuts and/ or dried fruit or seasonings like cinnamon or nutmeg chopped
Instructions
- Wash, (optionally) peel, and grate the apples and carrots. Combine grated apples and carrots in a large bowl.
- (Optional) Add sugar, lemon, nuts, dried fruit, or additional seasonings, and toss.
- Serve right away. Store if not consuming immediately, add lemon juice to prevent browning. For optimal freshness, store in the fridge in an airtight container, and consume on the same day.
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