Best Japanese Pickled Carrots Recipes

PICKLED CARROTS AND DAIKON

Steps:

• Julienne the carrots and daikon. How you cut them affects the pickles' texture, so see the section on cutting root vegetables in the headnotes above.
• Sprinkle the daikon and carrots with the salt and toss to distribute evenly. Set this aside for at least 15 minutes to allow the excess water to come out of the vegetables.
• Add the vinegar, sugar, and konbu to a small non-reactive saucepan and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off the heat and let it cool down to room temperature. Leave the konbu in the vinegar until it has cooled, and then remove and discard.
• When the carrots and daikon are limp, drain off all of the excess liquid from the vegetables and add the cooled vinegar mixture. Stir to combine.
• Grate some yuzu zest into the Namasu. This can be served immediately but will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.

JAPANESE PICKLED CARROTS

Steps:

• Boil water in a medium pot and add about a heaped teaspoon of salt.
• In a large porcelain bowl, place the 3 ingredients, rice vinegar, mirin and sesame oil.
• In a separate bowl, grate carrots with a mandolin, about an inch in length.
• When the water starts bubbling, add in the grated carrots to blanch.
• Count to 10.
• Remove carrots and drain.
• Toss carrots into bowl with the 3 ingredients and mix well.
• Add sesame seeds and toss again.
• Let it cool to room temperature.
• Squeeze them into a few medium size jars with the remaining juice.
• Keep refrigerated.
• Stays crunchy and fresh for months!

PORK KATSU WITH QUICK CARROT PICKLES

Steps:

• Whisk together vinegar, water, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Using a vegetable peeler, shave as many ribbons as possible from carrots. Toss carrots and scallions with dressing.
• Lightly beat egg in a shallow bowl. Combine panko, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper on a large plate.
• Pound pork chops to 1/8 inch thick between 2 sheets of plastic wrap with flat side of a meat pounder or with a rolling pin. Season both sides with 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper (total).
• Coat with egg, letting excess drip off, then with panko, pressing to help adhere. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Cook chops (in batches if necessary), turning once, until golden and just cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes total, adding remaining tablespoon oil if necessary. Drain briefly on paper towels and serve with carrot pickles.