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    Home » Recipes » Condiments

    Carrot Top Gremolata

    Published: Aug 11, 2021 by Kate Hackworthy · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Jump to Recipe
    Dish of sauce with text: How to make carrot top gremolata.
    Bowl of sauce with text: carrot top gremolata.

    Make Carrot Top Gremolata, a twist on the tasty Italian dry green sauce with carrot greens, garlic and lemon zest. It's a bold and flavorful condiments that comes together in minutes. Try it on veggies, pasta, meats or as a garnish.

    Close up of a bowl of gremolata made with carrot tops.

    For this Italian Gremolata, the tops of carrots replace parsley in the bright and tasty dry green sauce. It's traditionally served on Osso Bucco, but we veggies can still enjoy it too. Try it on roasted veggies, pasta, salads, or as a garnish.

    Many people don’t even realize that carrots have leafy green tops. This is because carrots are mostly sold with them already chopped off.

    It’s a shame because carrot tops not only have great nutritional value, they also make a bold sauce like gremolata come alive with their earthy flavor.

    I love using them in dishes such as Carrot Top Pesto, Carrot Top Salad, or Carrot Top Chimichurri.

    And be sure to find out all about the Tops of Carrots with my 101 guide, including recipes, tips, and ideas.

    Jump to:
    • What is Gremolata?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments
    Spoon coming out of a bowl of gremolata.

    What is Gremolata?

    Gremolata is a fresh, dry green sauce that is usually made up of parsley, lemon zest, and garlic. In this recipe, I made gremolata with the tops of carrots instead of the parsley.

    The result is a flavorful sauce that pairs well with protein dishes, vegetables, pasta, and more!

    It's traditionally served on Osso Bucco. Try it on roasted veggies, pasta, salads, or as a garnish.

    Jump to:
    • What is Gremolata?
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Variations
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • FAQs
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    Ingredients on a table.
    You only need a few simple ingredients for gremolata.
    • Carrot Tops - These earthy greens make great gremolata and come straight from the carrot.
    • Fresh Garlic - Infuses the sauce with a fresh garlic flavor.
    • Lemon Zest - Adds acidity and freshness.
    • Sea Salt & Pepper - Balances all the flavors in the gremolata.

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    Instructions

    Wondering how to make gremolata with carrot tops? Read on for the super easy recipe!

    Follow this step-by-step photo tutorial, then scroll down to the recipe card for the full ingredients list and method.

    Chopped carrot greens.

    Prepare the carrot greens: Carrot greens need to be washed and prepared properly as they can contain dirt and impurities. Wash thoroughly by soaking in a bowl of cold water, remove any leaves that are brown or discolored, then dry them in a salad spinner.

    Chop the ingredients: You’ll want to chop your washed and prepared carrot tops into a minced texture and do the same with the fresh garlic. Zest your lemon with a Microplane or grater.

    Making gremolata in a bowl.

    Assemble the gremolata: To a bowl, add carrot greens, fresh garlic, salt, pepper, and lemon zest then toss everything together until fully combined. Carrot top gremolata stays fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Hint: If you don't have enough carrot greens, then make up the total amount with chopped parsley.

    Serving Suggestions

    Mix a few spoonfuls into this Healthy Cabbage Soup for a boost of flavor. 

    Sprinkle over roasted vegetables, such as Roasted Celeriac, Roasted Rutabaga or Grilled Leeks.

    Toss some into this Simple Pasta With Peas for an earthy garlic flavor note.

    Add some to the side of a hearty Portobello Mushroom Steak.

    Sprinkle onto smokey Eggplant Steaks.

    Variations

    For a unique citrus flavor, try using orange zest or lime zest.

    Toss in some chopped basil or parsley for a fresh green herb taste.

    Spice it up by adding a pinch of red chili flakes.

    For a smooth gremolata sauce, add in a few tablespoons of olive oil until you reach your desired consistency.

    Storage

    Storing: Store leftover gremolata in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Freezing: Due to the nature of the freshness of the carrot tops, freezing is not recommended.

    Wooden table with bowl of Italian green sauce.

    Top tip

    To make a quick carrot top gremolata, use your food processor to break down the ingredients.

    FAQs

    What’s the difference between gremolata and chimichurri?

    While these sauces are very similar, chimichurri usually has some vinegar and oil added to it along with a different set of herbs.

    Is gremolata French or Italian?

    Gremolata is traditionally an Italian condiment and is often used on Osso Buco, a popular veal dish.

    How is gremolata used?

    While gremolata is often used as a topping or condiment for fish or other proteins, you can also use it to flavor soups, salads, and vegetables.

    • Carrot Top Salad with Chickpeas
    • Carrot Top White Bean Dip
    • Carrot Top Pesto
    • What to do with Carrot Tops

    📖 Recipe

    Dish of gremolata sauce.

    Carrot Top Gremolata

    Kate Hackworthy | Veggie Desserts
    Make Carrot Top Gremolata, a twist on the tasty Italian dry green sauce with carrot greens, garlic and lemon zest. Try on veggies, pasta etc.
    5 from 6 votes
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    Prep Time 5 mins
    Total Time 5 mins
    Course Condiments, Dips and Spreads
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 6
    Calories 10 kcal

    Equipment

    • Cutting board
    • Knife
    • mixing bowl

    Ingredients
     

    • 1 cup (25g) carrot greens
    • 2 garlic cloves finely grated or minced
    • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare the carrot greens by picking out any browned leaves, then cutting the feathery leaves from the long green stems (and discard the stems). Soak them in a bowl of water for a few minutes, then rinse. Repeat. Shake the excess water from the carrot tops, then dry in a salad spinner or gently in a clean tea towel.
    • Finely chop the carrot tops, mince the garlic and zest the lemon.
    • Add the carrot tops and all remaining ingredients to a small bowl and stir well to combine. Keep, covered, in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    Notes

    To make a quick carrot top gremolata, use your food processor to break down the ingredients.
    What's the difference between gremolata and chimichurri?
    While these sauces are very similar, chimichurri usually has some vinegar and oil added to it along with a different set of herbs.
    Is gremolata French or Italian?
    Gremolata is traditionally an Italian condiment and is often used on Osso Buco, a popular veal dish.
    How is gremolata used?
    While gremolata is often used as a topping or condiment for fish or other proteins, you can also use it to flavor soups, salads, and vegetables.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 10kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 97mgPotassium: 5mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @kateveggiedesserts or tag #veggiedesserts! I love seeing your recreations.

    More Condiment Recipes

    • Apple Frosting
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    • Easy Refried Beans
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jenn

      August 11, 2021 at 2:41 pm

      5 stars
      What a clever and tasty use of something I've always just composted! I can't wait to try this!

      Reply
    2. Natalie

      August 11, 2021 at 1:42 pm

      5 stars
      Sounds delicious. You got me interested to try this. I'm saving the recipe.

      Reply
    3. Gina

      August 11, 2021 at 12:49 pm

      5 stars
      Love using this on top of grilled steak for some brightness and flavor! Such a great use of the carrot tops, hate wasting those!

      Reply
    4. Jacqueline Meldrum

      August 11, 2021 at 12:30 pm

      5 stars
      What a great use for carrot tops Kate. I bet it tastes amazing.

      Reply
    5. Claudia Lamascolo

      August 11, 2021 at 11:15 am

      5 stars
      Wow what a great unique idea for carrots this sounds delicious!

      Reply

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    Popular recipes

    • The BEST Easy Red Lentil Dahl
    • Easy Naan Bread Recipe (yeast-free)
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    • Easy Lentil Soup

    Easter Recipes

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