Japanese carrot sticks. When Anna of Morsels & Musings invited me to participate in the festive food fair I thought of all kinds of fun things to make. When I thought to narrow it down, it occurred to me that what it would be fun to share something simple, quick and unique during this season of compressed time. So I'm entering a recipe for Japanese carrot sticks in Anna's festive food fair event, a simple recipe which gives the unwarned a surprising and pleasing taste sensation.


Besides the carrots, it takes just three simple ingredients, and time.

Japanese Carrot Sticks

~1 lb. carrot sticks (marinade needs to cover the sticks completely)
1 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Put the carrots in a shallow covered dish, or ziplocking bag. Bring the vinegar, sugar and salt to a boil, then pour over the carrots. Marinate from 4-8 hours, remove from marinade and serve. I like to time it so the sticks come out in 4 hours, then if there are any leftovers, those can be put back into the marinade for up to another 4 hours, which deepens the seasonings and can soften the carrots slightly. After the first 4 hours the carrot sticks are lightly, yet distinctly flavored and maintains a nice crisp crunch.