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This Turkish carrot dip, also known as Carrot Tarator, Carrot Tzatzki or Havuc Tarama, is one of my favorite recipes. It is a fast dip to put together that is also a healthy side dish to pair with main entrees. Check out what this delectable dish has to offer.

My husband and I love going out to eat. One of the reasons Weight Watchers is a great plan is because of the flexibility it offers us to enjoy a night out at a restaurant while making healthier choices. It was on one of these date nights we ventured to a local restaurant serving authentic Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean cuisine.

What is Carrot Tarator?

The special for the night was the appetizer dip, Carrot Tarator which is a Turkish carrot yogurt dip. It was a delicious combination of sweet shredded carrots, crunchy walnuts and a tangy Greek yogurt seasoned with garlic, olive oil and parsley.

Warning: You may develop an addiction to this recipe that requires an addition to your meal prep each week.

Where Did You Get The Original Inspiration For This Recipe?

I also have another blog called The Venice Foodies where I review local restaurants in Venice, Florida. The restaurant I referenced above is one of our favorites in the area called Bodrum. The chef and owner, Ersen Irsel, is a talented and respected chef in our area and occasionally will appear on the local news to show off one of his dishes. It just so happens that this last appearance was his dish, Carrot Tarator. His dish features full-fat strained yogurt and full-fat mayonnaise, which means it's higher in points, so I revamped it to lighten it up to enjoy it more often. Here's the video from his television spot!

Today John and I made delicious Carrot Tarator at ABC7 studios.. Click for video down below

Posted by Bodrum Venice FL on Wednesday, December 11, 2019

How do you serve Carrot Tarator?

turkish carrot dip served with toasted pita bread

At the restaurant, like the other Turkish dips on the menu, it is served on a little plate with a spoon alongside toasted pita triangles. It would be easy to overdo it on points with the pita bread if you are not careful. However, you can choose to simply eat it by the spoonful (Yes, it is that good, even on its own). Alternatively, you can make slices of carrot, zucchini or cucumber to use as dippers.

Can I eat yogurt on Weight Watchers?

With PersonalPoints, everyone has their own personalized list of zero point foods. In fact, many will see that yogurt is a ! The Greek yogurt we will be using in this recipe is thicker than plain yogurt, with more of a tangy taste. It is the perfect complement to balance the sweetness of the carrots and walnuts.

What are low point pita breads?

I discovered Joseph's brand of low carb pitas and tortillas when I was making keto-friendly recipes. I have found these in some Walmart stores and my local Publix will special order it for me. However, shopping online if you don't have that option, it's easy to order directly from their website or the mini pitas are available on Amazon!

Can I make my own Pita Bread?

Pita Bread

If you are familiar with the popular WW 2 ingredient dough, it can be adapted to make pita chips! When you use this recipe, you can make 10 pita chips for only 1 POINT. Forget the guilt of indulging in pita bread, dip away!

2 ingredient dough is equal parts of self-rising flour and non-fat plain Greek yogurt. Combine the flour and yogurt in a bowl, then get your hands in there to knead it. This dough is crying for seasonings, I suggest adding a little garlic powder or Za'tar seasonings to give it flavor. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough ball until it is about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch thick. Spray with your favorite zero-point cooking spray or you can use a light amount of olive oil on top. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper, cut into triangles and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes or until they are golden.

*You can use these pita triangles
for my Slow Cooker Tikka Masala too!

How do you make Carrot Tarator?

With a few simple steps, you can enjoy this healthier version of Carrot Tarator. Use your favorite zero point cooking spray in a hot non-stick skillet. Saute the shredded carrots until they start to soften before adding in chopped walnuts. (You can use pine nuts if you prefer.) Once that is all cooked down, add in freshly pressed or crushed garlic.

Remove the carrot mixture from the heat and allow it to cool, almost to room temperature, before adding in the non-fat Greek yogurt and dill. Sprinkle in salt to your taste liking. (I am a low-salt kind of person, so a pinch is perfect for me.) Drizzle a little olive oil on top as a finisher and garnish with either the carrot tops or parsley for color.

What other dishes can you serve with Carrot Tarator?

Tavuk Sote (Turkish Chicken Sauté) is a wholesome, simple, and healthy chicken dish full of Mediterranean flavors. It would make a great main course after Carrot Tarator!

I would suggest sticking with Mediterranean flavors and dishes. Pictured above is another delicious party appetizer, a white bean hummus recipe that I make with SkinnyGirl Honey Dijon vinaigrette.

Other Dishes To Consider:

I would suggest sticking with Mediterranean flavors and dishes. Pictured above is another delicious party appetizer, a white bean hummus recipe that I make with SkinnyGirl Honey Dijon vinaigrette. Here are a few other dishes I would recommend:

Do You Love Carrots? Try These Recipes Too!

How Many Points Are In This Recipe?

With the new Plan, points can vary for those with diabetes. Check your zero point foods. Points can also vary with different brands. Please use your recipe maker to determine your exact points.

Are You on WW Connect?

Find me on WW Connect @Sassycooking_Alyssa to see my full recipe list!

Do you have a restaurant dish that you love but wish it was healthier? Let me know below and I'll see if I can recreate a healthier version!

Carrot-Tarator-Recipe

Healthy Carrot Tarator (Turkish Carrot Dip)

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Carrot tarator is a delicious and nutritious dish which consists of cooked carrots blended with Greek yogurt, garlic, walnuts, and spices. It is a popular appetizer in the Middle East and Mediterranean region, typically served with crusty bread or pita. Carrot tarator is particularly well-suited to vegetarian diets as it contains no meat and is also gluten-free.

Ingredients

  • Zero Point Cooking Spray
  • 3 Carrots (medium/large), Peeled and Shredded
  • 1/4 cup Walnuts, Finely Chopped
  • 3/4 tsp Fine Sea Salt
  • 2 cups Non-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 2 Garlic Cloves, Pressed or Crushed
  • 1 tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Optional
  • 2 Tbsp fresh dill

Instructions

  1. Heat your skillet over medium high heat, spray with cooking spray well. Once the skillet is hot, add the carrots and stir frequently until they start to soften.
  2. Stir in the chopped walnuts and continuing cooking for another 5-6 minutes.
  3. Add in the garlic and cook for another minute until you can smell the garlic's aroma.
  4. Remove from heat and let it cool down to a warm to room temperature.
  5. In a medium-sized bowl, add the Greek yogurt and dill, slowly stirring in the carrot mixture. Season with salt to taste.
  6. When ready to serve, drizzle a little olive oil on top.
Nutrition Information
Yield 6 Serving Size 1 grams
Amount Per Serving Calories 90Total Fat 4gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 4mgSodium 332mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 1gSugar 3gProtein 9g

*This is an automatic calculation by a third party app*

If you like this recipe, check out these Turkish Cookbooks for even more ideas!

Check Out Some Of My Other Healthy Recipes for WW

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Low Points for myWW appetizer carrot tarator recipe

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One Comment

  1. Thank you for another informative blog. Where else could I get that kind of info written in such an ideal way? I’ve a project that I am just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such information.

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