Carrot Apple Salad

Welcome Almost Frugal Food readers!  I’m excited to share a recipe, because I enjoy cooking and experimenting with food just as much as I enjoy frugal living.  I came up with this salad last week when I was looking for a new way to use bell peppers from our hydroponic garden.  If you have a food processor with a shredder attachment, this recipe will come together very quickly.  If not, get out your cheese grater and work up an appetite while you grate the ingredients.

• 3 large carrots
• 1/4 of a large cabbage
• 2 apples (I prefer tart varieties like Granny Smith, but any will do)
• 1 bell pepper
• 1/4 of a medium red onion
• small handful of sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped

Shred or grate the cabbage, carrots, and apples.  Chop the bell pepper and onion into small pieces.  Combine all ingredients in a bowl with the sunflower seeds and walnuts.  There is enough moisture and flavor in this salad that it really doesn’t need dressing (a frugal bonus, since prepared salad dressing isn’t cheap, nor does it tend to be all that great health-wise).  But feel free to add any dressing you like.  I like adding a few drops of balsamic vinegar to mine, and my husband likes to add a little Ceasar dressing to his.  Since everything is well chopped, this also makes a great filling for a wrap.