Glazed Whole Roasted Carrots
Carrots rule.
Not only are they good for your eyes BUT they also put hair on your chest! All right so they really don’t make you sprout hair on your front-side, that’s just something my dad would tell us growing up. Actually he said that about lots of things… carrots, coffee, yard work {blech!}. Okay so forget about the chest-hair thing and just go with “they’re-good-for-your-eyes” because I actually really do want you to make these! —–> {Hi Dad} <—–
So as I was saying… Carrots rule, but carrots roasted and candied with balsamic and honey are top-notch! And in celebration of October being Fair Trade Month, I busted out my Fair Trade Glorybee honey and got-sta-roasting. I made these to go along side meatloaf and baked potatoes {at my daughter’s request}, which so happens to be one of my favorite fall comfort meals and these carrots are absolute perfection!
Oh and if you haven’t already entered to win my Fair Trade Giveaway then HURRY UP you have until Thursday at midnight!
For this recipe in particular you want to find the carrots that still have their tops on. The skin tends to be softer, so you won’t have to peel them {score!} and they’re also more tender which makes roasting them whole that much easier. You don’t want to buy those big, clunky carrots that are in bags next to the celery… those are better for making stock or sayyy, feeding to horses. And let’s just be honest… they just won’t look as pretty on the plate.
Trim off the carrot tops and give them a good scrub. You could also trim off the vine-y ends… but I happen to like those, gives ‘em character. I’m such a dork… I know.
Drizzle with olive oil.
Sprinkle with crushed black pepper. Like I literally took a meat tenderizer to a baggie of peppercorns! For maximus peppery-ness.
And sprinkle with kosher salt.
Toss them all around so each carrot is generously coated in the olive oil and S & P.
Throw on a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme. I have an abundance of thyme growing in my herb garden so I’ve been throwing it in, on and under EVERYTHING!
Now just pop these carrots into a preheated 425 degree oven for like 15 minutes.
When the time is up, remove the pan from the oven and set the pan off to the side to cool down for a moment. Meanwhile you can quickly make the balsamic honey glaze.
Balsamic… naturally.
Honey… obviously. {dark brown sugar would be yummy too!}
Stir to combine… of course! How easy is THAT?
Drizzle over top of the semi-roasted carrots, toss them all around and pop them back into the oven for 10-15 more minutes. Halfway through give them one last toss.
Stand back when you open the door, or you could get slapped in the face with the balsamic vapors! It’s bad news… mascara dripping down your face isn’t best look.
I looooove these roasted carrots. They are the perfect combination of sweet and tangy. If and I mean IF there’s leftovers they reheat just splendidly.
So totally easy… so totally yum.
{sorry about the pic below… the carrots are like *bam* in your face.}
Glazed Whole Roasted Carrots
Tender carrots glazed in a sweetly-tangy balsamic and honey glaze.
Yield: 4-6 depending
Prep Time: 5
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
2 bunches Carrots {go for the ones that have the tops still on!}
1 tablespoon Extra Light Olive Oil
3/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/4 teaspoon Freshly Crushed Black Pepper
4 sprigs Fresh Thyme {optional}
2 tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
2-1/2 tablespoons Honey
Directions:
Chop of the leafy carrot tops and scrub well.
Toss the carrots in the olive oil, salt and black pepper. Place the carrots on a rimmed baking sheet and throw on the sprigs of fresh thyme.
Slide the carrots into a preheated 425 degree oven and roast for 15 minutes. Meanwhile prepare the glaze by mixing the balsamic vinegar with the honey.
Remove the carrots from the oven and drizzle on the glaze. Toss to coat and place the carrots back into the oven for 10-15 more minutes. Just give them another toss halfway through.
Remove and discard the thyme sprigs and serve.
Over the past few years I’ve been on a mission to find and create recipes that I can make from scratch. I hope you enjoy the recipes on this blog as they are tried and true from my kitchen to yours! (
My favorite way to eat carrots has always been steamed, lightly salted and sprinkled with fresh dill but this may have just changed things. I roast pretty much anything so really I don’t know why I haven’t given carrots a try yet? Honey, balsamic vinegar and carrots sounds like a heavenly match!!! Great idea!
Looks delicious…. =) balsamic + honey = good combo
These look lovely!
I love how easy these look… not to mention scrumptious!
Gorgeous carrots! Wow!
my dad always says things put hair on your chest too – love it
SO pretty, definitely restaurant-worthy carrots!
Despite having 4 daughters, my dad also promoted food by telling us it would put hair on our chest! And I think he’d also be a big fan of these… Yum!
Your dad is just too funny! “Hair on your chest?” I kind of had to think about that for a sec. No but seriously, these carrots are GORGEOUS! They’ll have to make an appearance on my Thanksgiving table this year!
I really don’t want hair on my chest, but I do want to improve my eye sight. Instead of getting the glasses I so badly need, I will live in denial a little longer and just eat more carrots; starting with these lovelies!
These are gorgeous! I love how rustic carrots look when they are cooked whole!
Oh my! These are something you would find in a super fancy restaurant. I’m definitely making these!
I just love roasted carrots! Yours are perfect and the glaze sounds so tasty!
simplyscratch replied: — October 25th, 2012 @ 4:42 am
Thanks Stephanie!
You’re not alone… I love the vine-y ends too
These carrots look absolutely amazing… I’ll have to pick some up at the farmer’s market on Saturday and give this recipe a shot… they’ll looks so pretty with the multi-colored heirloom carrots!
It looks delicious! I do WW and it is 3 pts for a serving/less if you get 6 servings out of it! Always looking for a different way to eat veggies.
I am always looking for new ways to prepare carrots. I just recently discovered heirloom carrots at my local farmers’ market this past summer, so I am excited to try this recipe!
These look like the perfect holiday side dish – gorgeous!
Just tried these for lunch. Carrots are not my favourite but this recipe made them enjoyable – nice and crunchy and full of flavour.
These look absolutely delicious!
Love roasted veggies! These look great!
Yum! We have been on a roasted carrot kick for a while now, LOVE them, but we haven’t tried them with your balsamic honey glaze….sounds amazing!
Laurie, I eat carrots EVERYDAY! THey are one of my favorite veggies – I love how their sweet juices are released when roasted as well. THe glaze on top sounds like perfection. In fact, I want a plate of these for breakfast this morning. LOL! And you managed to make carrots look pretty. Something I don’t think I could EVER do unless they were inside a carrot cake
I know I told you I thought your carrosts were pretty on instagram but I can’t get over it…they’re seriously bee-uuutes! I’m jealous of your camera skills too.