Great Roasted Carrots
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – the simplest way to add instant flavour to any vegetable is to roast it. The oven completely transforms bland vegetables, intensifying the natural flavour, caramelising sugar you didn’t even know was in it, and giving it colour by browning the outsides. And we all know colour = flavour! And carrots are a wonderful example of roasting magic in action. Raw carrots – while crisp and fresh and has its place in this world – is simply no comparison to a pile of hot roasted carrots, sweet and tender on the inside, with caramelised edges!
What you need for Roasted Carrots
All you need for great roasted carrots is carrots, oil (preferably olive oil), salt and pepper. You will be eating this straight off the tray! But I’ve also added garlic for extra flavour because I wanted to show you how I add it in partway through cooking so you don’t end up with little burnt garlic bits on the carrot. I do the same for ginger and dried herbs.
How to roast carrots
Peel then cut carrots into even chunks, toss in oil, salt and pepper, then roast for 30 minutes at 220°C/430°F, flipping halfway. Garlic option – add it when you flip the carrots. This way, you end up with perfect little golden bits of garlic instead of bitter burn garlic.
Roasting at a high temperature is key here to get some lovely colour on the carrots which adds extra flavour. Most recipes use a lower temperature which will cook the carrots just fine, but it’s not high enough to brown them (and if you leave them in the oven longer, they overcook and become wrinkly and sad). It’s best to cut them into large(ish) chunks so they don’t cook too quickly, otherwise they become overly soft before they brown. PRO TIP: Frozen carrots (thawed) work just fine but they won’t brown as nicely because they hold more water inside.
How to serve roasted carrots
The obvious way is as a side – just pile it into a bowl and serve it alongside the main, see below for suggestions. To turn it into a main affair, a really nice way to turn it into a salad is to drizzle over Tahini Sauce and add a sprinkle of almonds or pine nuts and coriander/cilantro – very Ottolenghi like!! Or add a big dollop of lemon yogurt. I’ve jotted these down in the recipe notes.
What goes well with roasted carrots
Roasted carrots go with all proteins – chicken, pork, lamb, beef, seafood. I especially love serving them with roasts. Because I only have one oven, I only serve roasted carrots on the side when the roast can be kept warm for the 30 minutes it takes to roast the carrots without losing it’s freshness. Such roasts include these: Specifically, I find it best to serve roast chicken fresh out of the oven so these carrots don’t make an appearance on the side of chicken. You could cook the carrots in the oven at the same time, but just be aware that the more you have in the oven, the longer it takes for things to cook (it’s an unknown you will need to manage) and whatever is on the bottom shelf won’t brown as nicely. But don’t just restrict yourself to roasts! Roasted Carrots are a terrific quick side for quick midweek meals too. Here are a few suggestions: So tell me – what flavourings you love on your roasted carrots? Plain, garlic, parmesan, lemon, herbs?? Share your ideas! – Nagi x PS And here’s my other favourite way with roasted carrots – glazed with Brown Sugar. So good!
Watch how to make it
Life of Dozer
Dozer banished outdoors for doing something naughty… I can’t specifically remember what, but that’s definitely his please let me back inside, I’ll be good! face, and that would’ve been the reason why I took a photo of him on the other side of the door!
