Roasted Carrot Salmorejo
Green Olive Company
4 servings
Soups
Gemma Costa's Scottish-Spanish fusion transforms the classic Córdoban salmorejo by replacing tomatoes with deeply caramelized Scottish carrots, creating a thick, velvety plant-based purée emulsified with bread, olive oil, and sherry vinegar. Golden seared-and-braised parsnip fondants, a vibrant coriander and pumpkin seed pesto, delicate crispy carrot skin shards, and aromatic cumin seed oil complete a dish that wowed critics Jay Rayner, Jimi Famurewa, and William Sitwell. Jay Rayner praised the philosophy that every element should taste as much of itself as possible; William Sitwell called it a beautiful new kind of soup; and Monica Galetti loved the balance of sweetness, sourness, cumin, herbs, and parsnips. An entirely plant-based, zero-waste celebration of autumnal Scottish produce through a Mediterranean lens.

Ingredients
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- 700g (about 1½ lbs, 6 medium) large carrots, reserve peelings for crispy skins
45ml (3 tablespoons) Green Olive Company olive oil (any infused variety), good quality
- 60g (2 oz, about 1 thick slice) day-old crusty white bread, crusts removed
- 1 small garlic clove, roasted alongside the carrots
15ml (1 tablespoon) Green Olive Company balsamic vinegar (any variety)
- ½ teaspoon (1g) smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon (4g) fine sea salt, adjust to taste
- 2–4 tablespoons (30–60ml) water or vegetable stock, to adjust consistency
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- 350g (2 large) medium parsnips, peeled, cut into 2.5cm (1-inch) cubes
30ml (2 tablespoons) Green Olive Company olive oil (any infused variety)
- 60ml (¼ cup) vegetable stock
- 3–4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 garlic clove, lightly crushed
- Fine sea salt and black pepper to taste
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- 40g (1 large bunch, about 1½ cups packed) fresh coriander (cilantro), leaves and tender stems
- 35g (¼ cup) pumpkin seeds (pepitas), lightly toasted
60ml (¼ cup) Green Olive Company olive oil (any infused variety)
- ½ small garlic clove
- 15ml (1 tablespoon) fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon (1.5g) fine sea salt
- Pinch of chili flakes (optional, for subtle heat)
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- Reserved carrot peelings from 6 carrots, long wide strips work best
15ml (1 tablespoon) Green Olive Company olive oil (any infused variety)
- Pinch of fine sea salt
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- 7g (1 tablespoon) whole cumin seeds
- 60ml (¼ cup) neutral oil (sunflower, grapeseed, or light olive oil)
- Pinch of fine sea salt
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- A few drops of pumpkin seed oil for drizzling
- Small fresh coriander leaves
- A few toasted pumpkin seeds
Directions
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- Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F (fan 190°C / 375°F).
- Peel the carrots using a vegetable peeler, making long, wide strips. Reserve all peelings for the crispy carrot skins. Cut the peeled carrots into roughly 2.5cm (1-inch) chunks.
- Toss the carrot chunks and the whole unpeeled garlic clove with 1 tablespoon of the Green Olive Company olive oil (any infused variety) and a generous pinch of salt on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Roast for 35–40 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the carrots are deeply caramelized and completely tender — a fork should slide in without resistance. The deep caramelization is critical, it provides the natural sweetness and roasted depth that replaces the ripe tomatoes in traditional salmorejo.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Squeeze the roasted garlic from its skin.
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- While the carrots roast, prepare the carrot skins. Pat the reserved peelings dry with kitchen paper.
- Toss the peelings with 1 tablespoon Green Olive Company olive oil (any infused variety) and a pinch of salt. Spread in a single layer on a separate parchment-lined baking sheet — do not overlap them.
- Bake alongside or after the carrots at 180°C / 350°F for 12–18 minutes, checking frequently. They should curl, darken slightly, and become crisp and brittle. They go from perfect to burnt very quickly, so watch them closely from the 10-minute mark.
- Remove and let cool completely on the tray. They will crisp further as they cool. Set aside.
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- Combine the cumin seeds and neutral oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Warm gently until the seeds begin to sizzle and become fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Do not let them darken beyond a light golden brown, or the oil will taste bitter.
- Remove from heat immediately and add a pinch of salt. Allow to cool completely in the pan. The oil will continue to infuse as it cools, deepening in flavor and turning a warm amber. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve or leave the seeds in for a more rustic presentation.
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- Peel the parsnips and cut into neat 2.5cm (1-inch) cubes. Aim for uniform size so they cook evenly. Trim any woody core from larger parsnips.
- Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add the parsnip cubes in a single layer and sear without moving for 2–3 minutes until a golden crust develops on the bottom.
- Flip the cubes and sear the opposite side for another 2 minutes.
- Add the vegetable stock, thyme sprigs, and crushed garlic. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 12–15 minutes until the parsnips are completely tender through the center when tested with a knife. The stock should be almost entirely absorbed or evaporated.
- Remove the lid for the final 2–3 minutes to allow any remaining liquid to reduce and the parsnips to develop a glossy, caramelized finish. Season with salt and pepper. Discard the thyme sprigs and garlic.
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- Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until they begin to pop and turn golden, about 3–4 minutes. Let cool briefly.
- Combine the toasted pumpkin seeds, coriander (leaves and tender stems), garlic, lemon juice, salt, and chili flakes (if using) in a food processor or blender.
- Pulse several times, then drizzle in the Green Olive Company olive oil (any infused variety) with the motor running until a loose, vibrant green pesto forms. It should be textured — not completely smooth. You want visible flecks of pumpkin seed and herb.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. The pesto should be bright, herbaceous, and slightly nutty.
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- Tear the bread into small pieces and soak briefly in 2 tablespoons of warm water for 2–3 minutes until soft. Squeeze out excess moisture.
- Add the roasted carrot chunks, squeezed roasted garlic, soaked bread, Green Olive Company balsamic vinegar (any variety), smoked paprika, and salt to a high-speed blender.
- Blend on high, drizzling in the remaining 2 tablespoons Green Olive Company olive oil (any infused variety) as the motor runs, until the mixture is completely smooth and velvety — this should take 1–2 minutes in a powerful blender.
- Check the consistency. The salmorejo should be thick — substantially thicker than a soup, more like a creamy purée that holds its shape on a plate when spooned. If too thick, add water or vegetable stock, 1 tablespoon at a time. If too thin, blend in a small additional piece of soaked bread.
- Taste and adjust: add more Green Olive Company balsamic vinegar (any variety) for acidity, salt for depth, or a pinch more paprika for warmth. The purée should have a sweet roasted flavor with a clear vinegar tang that lifts it. That touch of sourness is essential to balance the natural sweetness of the carrots.
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- Spoon a generous pool of carrot salmorejo into the center of each shallow bowl or flat plate, using the back of a spoon to create a smooth, slightly concave surface.
- Arrange 4–5 parsnip fondant cubes on top of the salmorejo, clustering them slightly off-center.
- Dot teaspoons of the coriander and pumpkin seed pesto around and between the parsnip cubes.
- Drizzle the cumin seed oil in a thin stream around the edge of the salmorejo. If using pumpkin seed oil, add a few drops alongside — it emphasizes the color and deepens the autumnal palette.
- Arrange 3–4 crispy carrot skin shards standing upright or leaning against the parsnips for height and drama.
- Finish with a few fresh coriander leaves and a scattering of toasted pumpkin seeds, if desired. Serve immediately.
