Do you ever nibble on vegetables that you've only experienced in cooked form - roots or otherwise - to see how they taste? I've been doing that more and more the last year or so, and I've discovered some wonders! Raw sweet potato and beets are very good! I've known this for a few months but didn't know what to do with that information, until I thought of pairing them together. Adding some sweetened coconut adds just the right amount of sweetness to make this a delicious salad with no dressing at all. I grated them to make it easier to chew and to be more appealing to my Blessings. Also, with the coconut, it makes for a nice, uniform appearance. I knew my girls would eat it because it was dinner, but the big test would be JK. I put some on a spoon, and he gingerly stuck his top lip out to take the minutest taste. Then he came back for more and more. I served him some with dinner, and he ate it all up. Everyone was surprised that they liked this (except for me: I knew I would), and this will definitely stay on my list of salads to make.
Raw Sweet Potato, Beet and Coconut Salad
Ingredients:
2 cups grated sweet potato (approximately one medium sweet potato)
2 cups grated beet (about two medium ones or one large one)
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut, packed
Directions:
Make sure you trim the ends and peel the sweet potato and beet before grating. I used my grater blade in the food processor; it made for a quick job. Rinse the sweet potato shreds in a colander to get rid of any starch that might brown them. Rinse the beet shreds in a colander to get rid of any loose juice, so the whole salad doesn't turn beet color. You won't be able to get rid of all the beet juice, but you want to be able to enjoy this colorful salad's beauty. Add the sweet potato shreds, the beet shreds and the coconut in a large bowl and stir. Can chill or serve right away. Feeds five hungry vegans.
Yeah, I was very surprised to find that I enjoy raw sweet potato! I've eaten it shredded with apple and carrot but I usually put some sort of dressing on it. I'm wondering what might work here.
ReplyDeleteVery adventurous coconut addition... I can see it going very well with the sweet potato but I'm not so sure about the beets. Though, if your hungry vegans approve...
YUM! I love raw sweet potato, I like it better than cooked actually. I'm really curious to how the coconut tastes in this one.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
FF, I think the coconut probably brings a similar sweetness that the apple does. I honestly think it tastes great without dressing, but I'm curious what you would come up with. The beets work great in this mix - give it a try!
ReplyDeleteClaire, the coconut works very well here. All the flavors blend nicely. I bet you'd like it.
I actually prefer raw beets to cooked ones. I like them grated, and went through a faze a few years back when I was putting them in sandwiches instead of lettuce. I also like raw turnips.
ReplyDeleteFear not. I will never make this recipe.
ReplyDeleteI've tried raw beets, and they are the best, especially when you include them in a fruit and veggie shake. However, I am a little afraid of trying raw sweet potato.
ReplyDeleteExcellent...muy delicioso.
ReplyDeleteAndrea, I think I'm leaning in your direction - raw beets are certainly flavorful, and I might like them more than cooked ones. I haven't tried raw turnips yet, but I have some in the fridge, so I'll do that today.
ReplyDeleteS.V., not surprised, not surprised at all, m'dear.
Nellie, don't be afraid - give it a try! You'll be pleasantly surprised.
Millie, great, thanks!
What an interesting idea - I love raw beetroot, but would never have thought have eating sweet potato raw. Colours are beautiful too!
ReplyDeleteJoey, give it a try. I think you will like it! I love the colors, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat looks really pretty! I'm not really a fan of beets though. The only way I can eat them is juiced. Buuut I might make an exception with this salad!
ReplyDeleteCarissa, I bet you would like this. Raw beets are surprisingly good.
ReplyDelete