Feel free to use any root vegetables you like, or add a few other herbs into the mix; fresh dill or something else vaguely Mediterranean or Middle Eastern would be pretty tasty.
Serving and Storage: This salad is best enjoyed at room temperature; when chilled, it tends to dry out a bit because of the tahini. If you wish to make it in advance, best to make the dressing and the vegetable & rice mixture separately, then stir them together before you serve it.