Las Zanahorias Recipes

ZANAHORIAS ALIñADAS (SPANISH MARINATED CARROTS)

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Add the peeled carrots and cook until just tender. Drain the water, place the carrots back in the pot, and cover with cold water.
• Once the carrots are cooled, slice into coins about 1/4-1/3 inch thick. Place in a large jar.
• In a mortar and pestle, add the peeled garlic and mash with the oregano, cumin seeds, and paprika to form a paste. If a mortar and pestle is not available, the garlic can also be grated, then mixed with the spices. Add the mixture to the jar with the carrots.
• Pour in the vinegar and water. Stir to combine the seasonings with the carrots. If the carrots are not covered in liquid, add a little more equal parts vinegar and water. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
• Remove the carrots with a slotted spoon and arrange on small serving plates. Sprinkle with salt, olive oil, and freshly chopped parsley.

MEXICAN PICKLED CARROTS OR ZANAHORIAS EN ESCABECHE

Steps:

• You can do this quickly by placing the jars and lids inside a large and deep pot filled with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes and remove and drain off the water while you prepare the carrots.
• In a large frying pan heat the oil, then add the carrots and cook for about 3 minutes. Next add the chilies, onion, garlic, and bay leaves and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes. Next add the salt, oregano, and peppercorns and cook for about 3 minutes, stir to combine the spices and vegetables well.
• Test a piece of carrot to see how crisp or tender it is. You can decide how much crispness you'd like your carrots to have, cook until they reach your desired texture. Turn off heat and set aside.
• In a medium pot (while your carrots are cooking), mix the water and vinegar and bring to a soft boil under medium-low heat. Once boiling cover and turn heat to low and allow to simmer until it's ready to be poured over the carrots in the jars.
• Fill each jar 3/4 full with the carrot mixture. Then pour in vinegar mix but leave about 1/8th inch of space from the rim. This is to leave enough room so it doesn't spill.
• Seal tightly and set jars aside to allow to sit and cool down to room temperature. Once at room temperature you can put them in the refrigerator.
• Allow to sit in overnight to allow flavors seep into the carrots and make them more flavorful. Tightly sealed they will keep up to a couple of weeks in the refrigerator, that's if they last you that long!

SEVILLIAN MARINATED CARROTS (ZANAHORIAS ALINADAS)

Steps:

• Place the carrots in a large pot of boiling salted water and cook until crisp-tender, 8-10 minutes.
• Drain the carrots and let cool just enough to handle, then cut them into 1/4-inch slices.
• While the carrots are cooking, place the garlic, cumin, oregano, red pepper flakes, 1 Tblsp parsley, salt and 1 tsp olive oil in a mortar, and using a pestle, mash them into a medium-fine paste. Whisk the lemon into the garlic paste.
• Place the carrot slices in a glass bowl while they are still warm and pour the garlic paste over them.
• Add the vinegar and the remaining 1/2 cup olive oil and toss to mix. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let marinate for at least 6 hours or refrigerate overnight. The carrots can be refrigerated for at least a week. Let the carrots come to room temperature before serving, place in a serving bowl, and garnish with parsley.