Although I have not been vegan or vegetarian my whole life, I have fortunately only eaten a handful of hot dogs. I am so grateful for that, knowing what they contain, not to mention the pain and suffering involved in their production. Eating these Smoky Carrot Hot Dogs convinced me they are the perfect solution to any processed hot dog!
A story that might make your stomach turn…
My aversion to hot dogs stems from the story my mom told us when we were kids, of her tour of Canada Packers while studying Home Economics at McGill University. She described how her student group stood beside a wheelbarrow filled with animal organs, intestines, bones and other body parts. My mom asked the director whether these by-products were destined for dog food. He said, “Oh no miss, those products are used in the making of our sausages and weiners.” That would leave an indelible visual imprint now wouldn’t it! My mom says she didn’t eat a hot dog for 40 years after that. Fortunately she never fed them to us.
I know, you are probably thinking, “Yes, but those aren’t the ‘all beef’ hot dogs that I buy.” But, perhaps they are… I mean, they are still all beef… aren’t they? Makes you think doesn’t it?
Packaged Vegan Hot Dog ingredients
You may have tried vegan hot dogs that are made to look remarkably similar to real meat hot dogs. Their consistency kind of begs the question of their nutritional value. Most brands’ main ingredients are: soy protein isolate, a wheat or pea protein followed by a heavily processed oil.
When you look at what is in Light Life Hot Dogs, the first few ingredients are: water, soy protein isolate, soy oil, cane sugar, pea protein isolate, tapioca starch, salt, potassium chloride, etc… not really any whole, recognizable foods.
Field Roast Frankfurters, which are more like a sausage, contain: water, vital wheat gluten, expeller pressed safflower oil, organic expeller pressed palm fruit oil… Again, okay for the odd treat, but not exactly a health food.
Soy Protein Isolate
This article from Harvard University suggests that although natural soy products are good for our health, we should stay away from soy protein isolate. It is a highly processed “food” that is usually used in faux meats made by dehulling, flaking and defatting soybeans by hexane extraction. All in all, without getting into the weeds, let’s just say that carrots are far healthier than faux meats!
You could make your own veggie dog, and Susan Voisin from Fat Free Vegan has a beautiful looking recipe. It contains whole ingredients such as rolled oats, pinto beans and onion. But, it looks like a lot of work!!
The best vegan hot dog alternative!
What if you could just make up a quick marinade, soak some boiled carrots, grill them lightly, et voila!?... A healthy, fun hot dog alternative.
This is not my creation, but man, is it a good one! I saw this first on Terri Edwards’ blog (who I met on the vegan cruise) called Eat Plant-Based. I then saw a similar recipe on a blogger’s site who we met at the Remedy Plant Based Conference in Portland, Brand New Vegan. Chuck has great recipes and has been kind enough to help me through some online mentorship.
I made Chuck’s recipe, then changed it up to make it more my own. My goal was to make the taste and consistency like a hot dog, while keeping the flavor mild but distinct and not too salty.
Making this Smoky Carrot Hot Dog recipe is super simple. You just need to leave enough time for the ‘dogs’ to marinate to soak up the flavour.
Method for making Smoky Carrot Hot Dogs
- Choose 3-4 carrots that are approximately 1 inch in diameter.
- Peel the carrots (so the marinade soaks in better) and cut to the approximate size of a hot dog bun – around 6 inches.
- Boil carrots for approximately 10 minutes. Do not overcook as you don’t want them to get mushy. They should pierce nicely with a fork but not be too soft or too hard. Look for the consistency of a hot dog.
- Once you reach the perfect softness, remove from the pot and rinse with cold water.
- Place in a shallow container in which they just fit, or place in the smallest ziplock bag they will fit in. (Please wash and re-use the bag.)
- Make up the marinade and cover the carrots. If they aren’t completely submerged, you will need to rotate them a couple of times as they marinate.
- Allow to sit in the fridge for 3 hours. This seems to be the magic amount of time for my taste buds. Less than that and there is not enough flavour and any longer, I find them too strong tasting.
- After 3 hours, remove from the marinade. This can be saved as it has not been contaminated by raw meat (added benefit of a plant-based diet). Place marinade in fridge or freezer for use again later.
- In a frying pan, barbeque or panini press, (as shown below), heat and rotate until nice and hot.
What side dishes will go nicely with these dogs?
These Smoky Carrot Hot Dogs would be great served with my Hearty Bean Salad, Kale Caesar Salad, the Chickpea, Artichoke Veggie Bake, or this delicious Lentil, Orzo and Wild Rice Moroccan Salad. You could also whip up some Quick Pickled Onions as a hot dog topping!
Serve with toppings of your choice such as:
- sauerkraut
- fried onions
- pickles
- spinach
- ketchup, mustard, vegan mayo, relish
- hummus
- vegan chipotle sauce
- avocado
- pickled beets
I think you will enjoy these Smoky Carrot Hot Dogs because they are:
- easy to make
- fat free
- inexpensive
- tasty
- smokey
- cholesterol free
- after marinating, have only one ingredient
- good for you
- saving animals
- great for the planet
I would love to hear your comments, especially the reactions of young kids to these healthy hot dogs. So if you make them, please leave a comment below!
www.thevibrantveggie.com
Ingredients
Instructions