Hotdog made out of a carrot?!?

                       Alright, I will accept your crazy absurd challenge!!

     I came across a vegan recipe for this on Pinterest. This was the silliest thing I'd ever heard of.
Then I saw another recipe for this. Then another and another.  I found so many that I lost count.
Ok, this is crazy enough that I'm going to have to try it.
     I heard my roommate yell from the other room.  "You're actually going to make it aren't you+?  I just laughed and started pulling ingredients.  Many of the  recipes called for boiling the carrots until fork tender.  I tried it and after 30 minutes, they still weren't soft.  I pulled them out of the pan, put them into a covered dish and microwaved  them for 2 minutes.  That finished them off perfectly.
    Then I came up with a version of a marinade for the carrots.  Something else I did was poke holes all over the carrots so the marinade could seep into them a little easier. It's best to let them
If I hadn't made these, I would have never believed it.  They were delicious!They even had a similar texture. I ate two that day for lunch and another the next two days. The raw sauerkraut, pickles and mustard all enhanced the hot dog experience.
     By the way, if you've never had RAW sauerkraut, you have really been missing out. It is not only incredibly delicious, it is so unbelievably good for you. Trader Joe's makes a great one and it has those little Persian cucumbers in it.  It also costs a whole lot less. Also, purchase carrots uniform in size. Some recipes said they shave them down to make them look more like a hotdog. Well, it's not a hotdog.  It's a carrot and I don't have time for that nonsense, but feel free.
   
 Here we go.

4 carrots, ends cut off and cooked fork tender. Poke holes all around them and set aside to cool.
 
marinade:
1/4 cup tamari  or soy sauce. (can also use liquid aminos )
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
2 Tablespoons liquid smoke
2 Tablespoons maple syrup (100 percent pure)
1 clove garlic, grated

 Additions:
Whole grain bun
Raw Sauerkraut
mustard
 pickles or relish
whatever you like on a hot dog. (unless it's ketchup. That is just wrong)

Combine the marinade ingredients in a leak proof baggie. Add carrots and marinade at least 6 hours, or overnight.
Heat a high temp. oil in a fry pan.  (or you can put them on the grill)  Cook carrots until they are seared and browned on all sides.
Dress bun with whatever you like on hotdogs. Drop carrot dog down in the middle and prepare to be amazed.

Note:
 If you slice carrots on a micro plane, you can use the same method to make carrot bacon. Great on a sandwich!