This fennel, carrot, and zucchini salad is as tasty as it is colorful. It's light and fresh and makes the perfect appetizer or side salad.
I used my mandoline to slice the fennel very thinly. I created the carrot and zucchini ribbons by peeling them with my potato peeler.
If you've never had fennel before, it has a mild licorice taste. I'm not a big black licorice fan, but I can assure you that I still like fennel.
The flavors all complement each other and it doesn't taste like you're eating licorice salad. Trust.
Dorky disclosure: I've never eaten raw zucchini until now. I actually got rather excited about how good it tasted, and now I really want to get a spiralizer so I can do zucchini noodles. Anyone have any spiralizer recommendations?
Writing this post brings me back to the first zucchini recipe I put on this blog. I spelled zucchini wrong (why is there an "h" in there? Srsly.), and my editor sister frantically pointed out all the instances I needed to fix. Good times. You'd think an English major would know how to do basic spelling and grammar, right? I like to surprise people.
I hope you'll give this carrot and fennel salad recipe a try!
Questions? Talk to me in the comments!

Fennel, Carrot, and Zucchini Salad
Ingredients
- 1 fennel bulb
- 2 large carrots
- 2 small zucchini
- 1 tablespoon onion chopped finely
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 tablespoon mayo
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Fennel fronds (optional for garnish)
Instructions
- Using a mandoline, slice the fennel very thinly. Using a vegetable/potato peeler, make ribbons with the zucchini (peel the outer skin off first and discard) and the carrots. Add to a salad bowl.
- Chop the onion and parsley and mince the garlic, and add them to the bowl.
- Add the sour cream, mayo, and lemon juice to the bowl. Toss the salad together and add salt & pepper to taste. Add some fennel fronds (the part that looks like dill) for garnish. Serve immediately or chill first.
Notes
- Serves four as a side/appetizer size salad.
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
What a gorgeous salad, Natasha! And that dressing sounds amazing! I love my spiralizer and I highly recommend them - I use Paderno and I've been happy with it.
Natasha says
Thank you! And thanks for the recommendation. I will check it out.
Dahn says
beautiful salad Natasha, I think I will make this tonight, thanks for the inspiration
Natasha says
Thank you! I hope you like it 🙂
Dahn says
well I did make this tonight and it is delicious. The fennel is a MUST! I love this kind of salad.. sooo good
Natasha says
So happy to hear that you made it and enjoyed it!! 🙂
Kate @ Babaganosh.org says
Beautiful salad for the summer! Fennel is always a nice surprise, isn't it? You think based on it's anise/licorice scent and flavor it is going to be weird, but it is SO GOOD in salads and soups.
Btw I think your write up is always hilarious, I love reading your posts in addition to the recipes. 🙂
Natasha says
Aw thanks Kate!! 🙂 I'm glad someone finds it amusing haha.