Skip to main content

Carrot Purée with Caraway and Cumin

Algerian in origin, this recipe makes a colorful, tasty hors d’oeuvre. Serve it at room temperature with toasted croutons or pita bread and marinated olives. Warm, it makes a great side dish with baked fish and Chermoula (page 233).

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 onion, diced fine
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground caraway
Salt
1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
Chopped cilantro

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add: 1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices, 2 garlic cloves, peeled.

    Step 2

    Cook until the carrots are tender. Drain. Heat in a small heavy pan: 2 teaspoons olive oil.

    Step 3

    Add: 1/2 onion, diced fine.

    Step 4

    Cook until soft, about 7 minutes. Crush in a mortar and pestle or under a heavy skillet: 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/4 teaspoon ground caraway.

    Step 5

    Add to the sautéed onions with: Salt.

    Step 6

    Add the drained cooked carrots and garlic and cook for a couple minutes more. Off the heat, mash into a coarse purée with a potato masher or fork. Add: 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice and taste for salt. Adjust as needed. If you like, garnish with: Chopped cilantro.

The Art of Simple Food
Read More
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
The golden, crunchy corners are worth fighting over.
Not stuffed shells. But not not stuffed shells either.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Like spicy carrot rigatoni and weeknight-fancy ravioli with peas.
A veg-forward main or gets-along-with-everyone side.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.