Description
This recipe for Great Roasted Carrots is a simple, flavorful way to prepare carrots by roasting them to tender perfection with garlic, olive oil, and fresh parsley. The carrots are cut evenly, seasoned, and roasted in two stages to maximize flavor and texture, creating a delicious side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 kg / 2 lb carrots, peeled and ends trimmed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, minced or finely grated (optional)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 220°C (430°F) or 200°C (fan-assisted). This high temperature ensures the carrots roast nicely with a bit of caramelization.
- Prepare the Carrots: Cut the carrots diagonally into pieces about 5cm (2 inches) long. If any carrots are particularly thick, slice them in half lengthwise to ensure all pieces are roughly the same width, allowing for even cooking.
- Season the Carrots: Place the prepared carrots on a roasting tray. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Toss the carrots on the tray to coat them evenly with the seasoning and oil.
- First Roast: Spread the carrots out in a single layer on the tray and roast them in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, allowing the edges to start caramelizing.
- Add Garlic and Flip: Remove the tray from the oven. Push the carrots to one side of the tray, add the minced or grated garlic to the empty side, and toss everything together gently so the garlic coats the carrots. This step infuses the carrots with garlic flavor without burning the garlic.
- Second Roast: Return the tray to the oven and roast the carrots for an additional 10 minutes. After roasting, toss the carrots again to coat them in the flavorful garlicky oil and any juices on the tray.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the roasted carrots before serving for a burst of freshness and color.
Notes
- Peeling and trimming the carrots optimizes texture and presentation but can be skipped if preferred.
- Adding garlic is optional but highly recommended for added flavor.
- Other flavor options like herbs or spices can be added along with the garlic during the second roast if desired.
