How many times have you heard people say that vegetables are boring?
I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve heard that crap ALOT. People are always complaining about how un-interesting vegetables are and how much they “hate” them and refuse to eat them. It infuriates me, because we are living in a world where dishes like THIS exist. I mean, seriously people!
If you look up the word interesting in the dictionary, you will find a picture of this dish. Yes, it’s true. You may also find it filed under ‘addictive’, ‘delicious’ or ‘mind blowing’, because this humble carrot recipe right here is the FURTHEST THING IN THE WORLD FROM BORING.
I saw this recipe on Bonappetit (I think I need help, I spend way too much time on that site) and I bookmarked it instantly. I only slightly tweaked the original recipe by mixing up the spices a bit and increasing the amount of Harissa (I love spiciness!). I already knew it was going to be spectacular, but it STILL managed to knock my socks off. The combination of the gorgeously zesty and tangy caramelized lemon, the sweet amber maple syrup and the deep hum of the spicy Harissa paste is just GENIUS. I will most definitely be using this magical sauce in other dishes.
In case you are unfamiliar with it, Harissa is a North African hot chilli pepper paste, used commonly in countries like Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. In recent years it has gained popularity worldwide and can be found in most gourmet food stores or even some big supermarkets, usually in a tube. It is utterly delicious!
I found myself (and my husband) licking the tray, the serving dish, the baking paper and ALL OUR FINGERS unapologetically and making inappropriate sounds as we stood in the kitchen cleaning up. Ok I am not even kidding, I am salivating right now. Brb while I go buy some carrots.
P.S: If you are feeling the whole ‘interesting veggie’ concept, be sure to check out my Moroccan inspired Cauliflower Couscous recipe and my super colourful Vegetable Medley Bake. VEGGIE POWER!
Harissa & Maple Glazed Roasted Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 kg dutch carrots scrubbed and tops trimmed*
- 1 large lemon thinly sliced (seeds removed)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1-1.5 tbsp Harissa paste depending on how spicy you like things
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- ½ tbsp ground cumin
- ¼ tbsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tbsp ground ginger
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 210 degrees C (410F)
- Spread the carrots and lemon slices on a non-stick baking tray (or baking tray lined with parchment paper).
- In a bowl, whisk together all the remaining ingredients and season with salt. Drizzle onto the carrots & lemon and toss to coat. Roast in the oven, tossing occasionally until lemons are caramelized (not burnt!) and carrots are tender, 30-40min.
Notes
• You may use honey instead of maple syrup if you cannot find it
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from Bonappetit
My name is Noha.
I’m passionate about food, an avid traveler, and I love to explore new cultures and cuisines whenever I get the chance by sharing my recipes and experiences with my readers.
A big fan of exploring different cuisines and always looking for new and exciting flavors to explore. I’m especially interested in healthy eating and finding ways to make delicious dishes without sacrificing nutrition.
