Description
Zesty roasted lemon garlic carrots bring Mediterranean sunshine to simple vegetable sides. Fresh herbs and bright citrus elevate these caramelized carrots into a delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish you’ll crave at every meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 grams) carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or coins
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 tbsps (22.5 mL) olive oil
- 0.5 tsp salt
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 0.25 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Ignite the oven to a fierce 400°F (200°C), setting the stage for vegetable transformation.
- Carrot Preparation: Cleanse and trim carrots, slicing diagonally into elegant, uniform pieces that promise even roasting and maximum caramelization.
- Seasoning Fusion: In a generous mixing bowl, coat carrot slices with olive oil, creating a lustrous foundation for seasonings, then introduce minced garlic, vibrant lemon zest, and a splash of fresh lemon juice to awaken the carrots’ natural sweetness.
- Flavor Layering: Sprinkle kosher salt, cracked black pepper, and a whisper of red pepper flakes, ensuring a complex flavor profile that will tantalize the taste buds.
- Roasting Technique: Spread the seasoned carrots across a rimmed baking sheet in a single, strategic layer, then slide into the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to achieve a perfect golden-bronze exterior.
- Finishing Touch: Extract the roasted carrots when they reach tender perfection with crispy edges, transfer to a serving platter, and crown with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous finale.
Notes
- Optimize Roasting Temperature: Ensure precise 400°F heat for perfect caramelization without burning, which brings out carrots’ natural sweetness and creates crispy edges.
- Control Moisture Levels: Thoroughly pat carrots dry before seasoning to prevent steaming and guarantee maximum roasting crispness and golden-brown color.
- Select Uniform Carrot Sizes: Cut carrots into similar diagonal slices to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the dish.
- Customize Spice Intensity: Adjust red pepper flakes based on personal heat preference – reduce for mild flavor or increase for a spicier kick without overwhelming the delicate lemon and garlic profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 13 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg