Garden Fennel Carrot Salad with dried cherries and a Mediterranean dressing, make for the best summer salad from your garden or farmers market ingredients.
Garden Fennel Carrot Salad with Dried Cherries
The root of a great summer salad starts with roots, literally! This garden fennel carrot salad with dried cherries is loaded with both texture and flavor. The crunch of fennel bulbs and carrots, with the sweet and sour from the dried cherries makes for a memorable salad.
Serving this refreshing flavor-forward salad alongside your favorite grilled meals, is an easy approach to summer dining and an easy do-ahead side dish for poolside or deck gatherings.
Fennel and Carrots – The Roots In Our Garden
On a whim, one spring day, I planted fennel seeds in my garden.
Fast forward eight years later, much to my surprise, this beautifully fragrant plant returns year after year.
And so, I tried my hand at carrot seeds next. While they don’t return year after year, they are easy to grow and between the two, this salad was inspired.
Fennel brings the refreshing flavors, carrots – the substance, and the addition of dried sour cherries is… well, the cherry on top!
Why You’ll Love This Fennel Carrot Salad
Flavor – What could be a more refreshing dish to compliment your favorite grilled dishes, deck dinners, or even to-go salads for picnics, beach or boating!
Do-Ahead – For a casual garden party or meals on the go, this salad isn’t wimpy like lettuce, so it makes the perfect do-ahead salad, adding the dressing just befor serving.
To-Go – Try layering this salad, with dressing on the bottom, in small Mason Jars for easy serving. If you tried my vast variety of Lunch In A Jar you will agree, this salad fits the style perfectly, in appearance and flavor.
The Whimsy Of Carrots In My Garden
I am rather new to gardening but I can’t express the excitement I feel when I put tiny seeds in the ground and they actually grow.
Half expecting the rabbits to devour my carrots before I could, I was surprised when they didn’t.
So I now grow them every year for so many delicious recipes inspired by their beauty and flavor.
- Garden Inspired Creamy Carrot Risotto – rich in Pecorino, mascarpone, caramelized onion and wine.
- Carrot Cake – gorgeous in color and abundant in flavor, set off by orange zest and juice and yogurt for a moist carrot cake.
- Ginger Carrot Red Lentil Soup – the perfect immune boosting soup I make every year on New Year’s day and whenever I feel my immune system zapped.
Yes, carrots are available nearly year round, but we particularly enjoy their crisp freshness with our favorite grilled dishes.
New Surprises With Fennel In My Garden
When I first planted fennel, how was I to know that one type of fennel produces a bulb while the other doesn’t.
Now I have both planted and enjoy their licorice, almost marshmallow flavor in a variety of recipes.
However, I made a new discovery this year that really surprised me.
Fennel Pollen, apparently is a culinary ‘thing’ I have only just discovered.
And so now, I harvest the pollen from those beautiful starburst fennel flowers, dry them and use them in delicious new ways.
Who knew a small amount of fennel pollen was so darn expensive, much like saffron!
- Fennel Pollen Ice Cream – from both fennel flowers and pollen, honey as sweetener and a splash of fennel flavored liquor.
- Salmon Croquettes with Chili Honey – this delicious seafood croquette is dusted with five-spice, which is a spice that has fennel seeds in it.
- Italian Pizzelle Waffle Cookies – a traditional waffle cookie, most often flavored with fennel seeds and sometimes (mine), glazed with fennel flavored liquor.
Ingredients Needed for Fennel Carrot Salad with Dried Cherries
- Fennel bulb, cut into thin slivers exposing the most of its unique flavor.
- Carrots, peeled and cut into thin slivers to compliment the fennel.
- Parsley, brings a fresh herb flavor to the salad mix.
- Salt, to enhance sweetness.
- Garlic, adds an aromatic flavor to the dressing.
- Sesame seeds, for a nutty addition with added texture.
- Lemon juice and Olive oil, for the perfect Mediterranean dressing.
- Dried sour cherries, the surprising sweet and sour addition to this summer salad.
Tools You’ll Need for Fennel Carrot Salad
- Cutting board – the best work space for peeling and chopping.
- Chopping knife and vegetable peeler – for preparing the carrots and fennel.
- Measuring tools – for balanced flavors when portioning the ingredients.
- Garlic press – the easiest way to extract the essence from fresh garlic.
How to Make Fennel Carrot Salad
Step 1. Wash and cut the fennel bulb into thin slivers, saving a few fronds for garnish.
Step 2. Peel and slice the carrots into the same size slivers as the fennel.
Step 3. In the bottom of a medium size mixing bowl, whick the lemon juice, olive oil, and crushed garlic.
Step 4. Add the fennel and carrots to the bowl and toss to coat the vegetables.
Step 5. Add roughly chopped parsley, sesame seeds, salt and dried cherries. Lightly toss again.
Step 6. Portion the salad into two bowls, place fennel fronds on top, and serve.
Garden Fennel Carrot Salad with Dried Cherries
Equipment
- Cutting board and knife
- Vegetable peeler
Ingredients
- 2 cups Fennel
- 2 cups Carrots
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley
- 1 tsp Salt or to taste
- 1 Garlic clove
- 2 tbsp Sesame Seeds
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Dried sour cherries
Instructions
- Chop the fennel bulb into thin slivers, saving a few fronds for garnish.
- Peel and slice the carrots in the same size slivers as the fennel.
- In the bottom of a medium size mixing bowl, whisk the lemon juice, olive oil and crushed garlic.
- Add the fennel and carrots to the bowl and toss to coat the vegetables.
- Add roughly chopped parsley, sesame seeds, salt and cherries and lightly toss again.
- Portion the salad into two bowls, place fennel fronds on top and serve.
I believe the table... that place that draws people to gather, is the most powerful symbol of togetherness. All that happens before the table is set, the planning, the gathering, the preparing, are all an intricate part of the dance that create the mood of celebration to share with friends and loved ones.
What a delicious way to enjoy fresh raw fennel!