Spicy Carrot and Harissa Spread

I’m always looking to create healthy and holistic options for snacks because for many people (myself included), snack time is when we are more likely to eat something out of a bag or a box if we’re not prepared and that rarely leaves me feeling great physically. I love really good hummus, but sometimes I love a little more creativity with flavors to keep things fresh, exciting and inventive.

I’ve been playing around creating vegetable focused spreads for the last few years and this is one of my favorites that I shared in the January 2019 issue of @charlestonmag. I hope you love it.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. carrots, cleaned, peeled, and chopped

• 4 large cloves garlic

• 1/4 cup, 1 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for garnish

• 2 tsp. cumin

• 1/2 tsp. minced fresh ginger

• 1 tsp. harissa, or more to taste

• 1 Tbs. minced cilantro

• 1 cup water

• Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste

• Handful of torn cilantro leaves for garnish

• 1 lime, cut into wedges

• 4 whole wheat pita or naan bread, heated and torn into pieces, or seed crackers

Method

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Coat the carrots and garlic cloves with a tablespoon of the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 45 to 50 minutes, or until slightly golden and tender when pierced with a knife.

Working in batches if necessary, in a food processor combine the roasted carrots and garlic, olive oil, cumin, ginger, harissa, and cilantro. Process until the spread is smooth, adding up to one cup of water if needed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with torn cilantro leaves, a drizzle of olive oil, and lime wedges. Serve with warm pita, naan bread, or seed crackers.

Cooled and covered, the spread can be refrigerated for up to five days.