Roasted Carrots With Carrot Top Pesto Recipes

ROASTED CARROTS WITH TAHINI AND CARROT-TOP PESTO

Steps:

• Roast the carrots: Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Cut the tops off the carrots, leaving about 1 inch of the stems still on. (Reserve the carrot-top greens for the pesto and garnish.) Cut the larger carrots in half lengthwise and leave the smaller ones whole. Place on a large rimmed baking sheet in a flat, even layer. Drizzle with a good amount of olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until lightly charred and tender, but not mushy or falling apart, 10 to 15 minutes. Halfway through roasting, shake the pan so they roast evenly.
• Meanwhile, make the pesto: In a high-powered blender, combine the carrot-top greens, parsley, pistachios, olive oil, chives, salt, pepper, garlic, lemon zest and lemon juice. Blend on medium-high until combined but still chunky. If it looks too thick add 1 to 2 tablespoons oil to loosen.
• To serve: Place the roasted carrots in a shallow bowl, dish or platter and drizzle with the pesto, chopped pistachios, tahini and carrot-top greens. Serve immediately.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH CARROT TOP PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Trim and reserve the carrot tops. In a large bowl, toss the carrots with 2 tablespoons olive oil and the curry powder and salt. Arrange the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast until tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and roast 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove and cool.
• In the food processor, pulse the walnuts a few times to break them up. Add the basil, carrot tops, honey, 3 tablespoons olive oil, a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup cold water. Pulse until combined but not completely smooth. If dry or too chunky, add another tablespoon olive oil or 1 to 2 tablespoons water to loosen. Transfer to a medium bowl. Taste for seasoning.
• Transfer the carrots to a serving platter. Stir the vinegar into the pesto and spoon the pesto over the roasted carrots.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH CARROT-TOP PESTO AND BURRATA

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F.
• Pour 2 tablespoons of the oil into a heavy ovenproof pan big enough to hold the carrots in a single layer. Set the pan over high heat and bring the oil to a light smoke. Add the carrots, sprinkle on 1 teaspoon of the salt, and turn the carrots to coat them in the oil. Cook, turning over the carrots occasionally, until they're browned in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Pop the pan in the oven and roast, shaking the pan occasionally, until the carrots are evenly tender, 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the size of your carrots. Let the carrots cool slightly. Halve the burrata and arrange the halves on a platter. Arrange the carrots on the platter so they're pointing this way and that. Add the pesto here and there in little dollops.
• Pluck enough 2-to 3-inch delicate sprigs from the reserved carrot tops to make about 1 1/2 lightly packed cups and toss them in a bowl with the basil. Whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of the oil with the lemon juice and a good pinch of salt in a small bowl until the mixture looks creamy. Use a little of the lemon dressing to lightly dress the carrot top-basil mixture, sprinkle on a little more salt, and toss well. Arrange the mixture on top of the carrots and burrata. Drizzle everything with the remaining lemon dressing and serve.
• Combine the carrot tops and basil in a small food processor, pulse several times, then add the walnuts, Parmesan, garlic, and salt. Pulse several more times, add the oil, then process full-on, stopping and scraping down the sides of the processor or stirring gently if need be, until the mixture is well combined but still a bit chunky. Taste and season with more salt, if you fancy.