Carrot Hot Dogs
The only type of hot dog I can get behind. I have hated hot dogs ever since I was a child. I even remember crying one time when my parents took us out to a hot dog stand and told me that was dinner so I had to eat it. On the flip side, I love hot dogs buns and condiments so I was always a little jealous when I saw other people eating them. I wanted all of it, except the hot dog! While I have eaten my fair share of hot dogs buns with condiments, these carrot hot dogs are way better and they cook up on the grill, perfect for a summer barbecue.
To give the carrots tons of flavor, I marinate them in a mixture of soy sauce, worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup and some spices. Toss the carrots around in the marinade so they are all nicely coated and let them hang out for at least an hour. Then throw ‘em on the grill. This gives the carrots a nice char which adds flavor and gives them a good ‘hot dog cooked on a grill’ look. But hang on to the marinade because the carrots get their good looks and added flavor from the grill but they need a little more time to cook all the way through. Once the carrots have been charred on the grill, add them to a pan with the marinade. Place the pan over medium low heat on the grill or on your stovetop and cover them. Let them cook in the marinade for about 10 minutes until they are softened. Then they are ready to eat! Add the carrot dogs right to a bun like you would any other hot dog and load it up with all your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
As a side note, if you don’t have a grill and still want to enjoy a carrot dog, you could simply cook the carrots in the marinade and skip the whole grill part. I think it helps to add flavor but the carrots in the marinade will still be tasty.
Carrot Hot Dogs
Ingredients
- 6-8 Carrots, peeled
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegan worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- FOR SERVING: Hot dog buns, ketchup, mustard, relish, chopped onion
Instructions
- COMBINE: In a small bowl combine all ingredients except the carrots. Mix well and pot into a long shallow dish. Add the carrots in a single layer. Coat the carrots in marinade, cover and allow to sit for about an hour.
- GRILL: Turn the grill on to medium high. Arrange carrots on grill. (Keep the marinade.) Rotate them every few minutes so the carrots develop a char on all sides.
- COOK: Remove the carrots from the grill and place them in a pan with the leftover marinade. Cover and cook (on the grill or on the stovetop) on medium low heat until the carrots have softened.
- SERVE: Place the carrot dogs in hot dog buns and top with your favorite condiments. Enjoy!