Egyptian Spiced Carrot Crostini

This Egyptian spiced carrot puree is delicious and versatile. You can serve it as a side dish (think fancy mashed potatoes!) or dip it in crackers. I love it spread on a thick slice of crusty bread and drizzled with a lemon tahini sauce, roasted chickpeas, and a few microgreens. It has a lovely sweet/spicy flavor, and adding homemade dukkah takes it up a notch. However, purchase some at the grocery store or online if you need more time to make your dukkah.

Ingredients

Carrots

• 1 1/2 pounds carrots, washed and cut into 1/2 inch chunks
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 2-3 teaspoons harissa spice mix or paste
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• Pinch of salt and pepper

Lemon Tahini Sauce

• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup water + more to thin if necessary
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

Loaf of Good Quality Bread

• Slice bread into 1/2-inch thick pieces

Toppings (optional but recommended)

• Roasted chickpeas
• Microgreens (or minced cilantro/herbs of choice)
• Small handful of raisins

Dukkah

• 1 cup hazelnuts
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 cup cumin seeds
• 1/4 cup coriander seeds
• 1/4 cup fennel seeds
• 2 teaspoons dried mint
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the Oven
   Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature will help caramelize the carrots, enhancing their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
2. Roast the Carrots
   Toss the carrots with olive oil, white wine vinegar, harissa spice mix, ground cumin, ginger, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Spread the seasoned carrots on a prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes or until the carrots are lightly browned and tender. Toss the carrots halfway through the cooking time to ensure even roasting.
3. Prepare the Dukkah
   Measure out all the ingredients for the dukkah separately. Heat a dry (un-oiled) skillet over medium heat. Toast each nut and seed separately as they toast at different rates. Shake the pan often to prevent burning. Once toasted, combine the nuts, seeds, dried mint, sea salt, and black pepper in a food processor. Pulse until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. You can leave it coarse for texture or process it longer for a finer mixture.
4. Make the Lemon Tahini Sauce
   Combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a bowl. Whisk together until smooth, or use an immersion blender or small food processor for best results. Adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed. If the sauce is too thick, add more water to thin it to your desired consistency. For this recipe, a thicker sauce works well when drizzled on the toast.
5. Mash the Carrots
   Place the roasted carrots in a large bowl. Mash them with the back of a fork or a potato masher until you reach your preferred texture. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more spices if necessary.
6. Toast the Bread
   Slice the bread into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Toast the slices until they are golden brown and crispy. You can do this in a toaster, on a grill, or in the oven.
7. Assemble the Crostini
   Spread a generous amount of the carrot puree on each slice of toasted bread. Sprinkle with the homemade dukkah. Drizzle with the lemon tahini sauce. Top each slice with roasted chickpeas, microgreens, and raisins if desired.
8. Serve and Enjoy
   Serve the Egyptian spiced carrot crostini immediately while the bread is still warm. This dish is perfect for an appetizer, snack, or light meal.

Additional Tips

• Make Ahead: The carrot puree and lemon tahini sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the puree gently before serving.
• Variations: For different flavors, experiment with other vegetables like sweet potatoes or parsnips. You can also use other nuts or seeds in the dukkah.
• Storage: Store any leftover components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble fresh crostini as needed.

Enjoy this vibrant and flavorful Egyptian Spiced Carrot Crostini, a delightful addition to any meal or gathering!