Spring is all about refreshment and this easy-to-prepare, light, fresh dish is sure to leave you and your guests feeling revived and ready for brighter, warmer days. We love this Spring Vegetable Carpaccio with Lemon Vinaigrette because it’s full of citrus zest and earthy notes that are complemented by a wonderfully crunchy texture. It’s also a great dish for a wine night al fresco and works well with charcuterie or as a fresh salad with charred chicken or a hearty piece of grilled salmon.
What You’ll Need
For the Vegetables
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1 small fennel bulb, thinly sliced on a mandoline, if possible
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1 small watermelon radish, thinly sliced
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1 small daikon radish, thinly sliced
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1 Persian cucumber, thinly sliced
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1 small golden beet, thinly sliced
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3 to 5 classic red radishes, thinly sliced
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Sprouts + dill + edible flowers for garnish
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Maldon salt + pepper to taste
For the Lemon Vinaigrette
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Zest + juice from 1 large lemon
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1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil
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Salt + pepper to taste
How to Prepare
Using a mandoline, sharp knife, or vegetable peeler, shave the cleaned vegetables into a large bowl of ice water. The ice water helps crisp the vegetables and gives them a gorgeous curl. Let sit while you make the vinaigrette.
In a small bowl, combine the zest and juice of a lemon. Whisk in olive oil, a pinch of salt, and some freshly ground pepper. Taste and adjust as needed.
Drain the vegetables and pat dry. Arrange the vegetable ribbons on a serving platter, sprinkle Maldon salt, pepper, drizzle with vinaigrette, and garnish with edible flowers, herbs and sprouts.
Why We Prefer Maldon Salt
Maladon salt is an elegant, natural salt that comes in large, flaky crystals. It’s an excellent choice to give any dish an elevated look with big, bold flavors. While you could use kosher salt for this Spring Vegetable Carpaccio with Lemon Vinaigrette, Maldon salt will enhance both the flavor and look of the dish.
Pairings We Love
Stags’ Leap Winery 2023 Napa Valley Chardonnay. The wine’s palate of Golden Delicious apples, Asian pear, and lemon curd will complement the bright, fresh flavors of the carpaccio’s watermelon radish, cucumber, and lemon vinaigrette.
Stags’ Leap Winery 2023 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc. Nothing brings that “warmer days on the way” feeling more than a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The wine’s notes of green Anjou pear, white peach, and citrus fruits provide a lively freshness along with nuanced elements of spiced white pepper, lanolin, and flinty minerality that pair extremely well with the flavors and textures of the carpaccio.
