Chickpea Salad with Carrots and Dill

My favorite chickpea salad recipe, made with grated carrots, chopped celery, fresh dill, and lots of chickpeas. This protein-rich salad is perfect for potlucks, packs well for lunch, and it’s easy to make! Recipe yields 4 side servings.

Ingreadient:

• 2 cans chickpeas (15 ounces each), rinsed and drained, or 3 cups cooked chickpeas
• 2 cups grated carrots (about ¾ pound or 5 to 6 medium carrots, peeled and grated on the large holes of a box grater or in a food processor fitted with a grating attachment)
• ⅔ cup chopped celery (about 2 long stalks)
• ½ cup thinly sliced green onions (about 4)
• ½ cup chopped fresh dill leaves (I used one 0.75 ounce package)
• ½ cup pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 to 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
• 1 medium-to-large clove garlic, pressed or minced
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Direction

1. In a medium serving bowl, combine the chickpeas, carrots, celery, green onions, and dill. Set aside.
2. Toast the pepitas in a small skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, until they are starting to turn golden and make little popping noises, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool for a few minutes.
3. To prepare the vinaigrette, in a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, combine the olive oil, 2 tablespoons of the vinegar, garlic, salt, and about ten twists of pepper. Whisk until blended and pour all of the dressing over the chickpea mixture. Add the toasted pepitas to the bowl and stir to combine.
4. Taste, and add additional vinegar (for more zing, I usually add another tablespoon) and/or salt (for more flavor overall, add another pinch). For the best flavor, let the salad marinate for 30 minutes or even overnight in the refrigerator.