Shaved Cucumber Carrot Mint Salad (Printable)
Crisp shaved vegetables with fresh mint and crunchy sunflower seeds in a zesty lemon dressing.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 medium cucumbers, peeled into thin ribbons
02 - 2 large carrots, peeled into thin ribbons
→ Fresh Herbs
03 - 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, loosely packed and roughly chopped
→ Seeds
04 - 1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
→ Dressing
05 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
07 - 1 teaspoon maple syrup
08 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnishes
10 - Zest of 1 lemon
11 - Additional fresh mint leaves for topping
# How-To Steps:
01 - Wash and thoroughly dry the cucumbers and carrots. Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, shave both cucumbers and carrots lengthwise into thin, delicate ribbons. Transfer the shaved vegetables to a large mixing bowl.
02 - Roughly chop the fresh mint leaves and scatter them over the shaved vegetables in the mixing bowl.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, maple syrup, fine sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the dressing is fully emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the shaved vegetables and mint. Gently toss everything together, ensuring all the ribbons are evenly and lightly coated with the dressing.
05 - Sprinkle the sunflower seeds evenly over the salad. Finish with lemon zest and additional fresh mint leaves as desired.
06 - Serve immediately for the best texture and peak freshness. The salad is best enjoyed right after assembly.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture contrast between paper thin vegetables and toasted sunflower seeds keeps every bite interesting.
- It comes together in fifteen minutes flat with nothing more than a vegetable peeler and a bowl.
02 -
- Salt the cucumber ribbons and let them sit five minutes if yours are extra juicy, then pat dry before dressing.
- Toasting the sunflower seeds for two to three minutes in a dry skillet over medium heat completely transforms their flavor.
03 -
- A Y peeler gives you more control and more attractive ribbons than a straight swivel peeler.
- Press the dressing ingredients in a small jar with a tight lid and shake vigorously for an emulsified result with no whisk to wash.