Maple Thyme Roasted Carrots

Ingredients

• 2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces (910 g)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (27 g)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (6 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (1 g)
• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated (6 g)
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (40 g)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (14 g)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, chopped (4 g)
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced (120 g)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (8 g)

Instructions

1. Heat oven. Place a rack in the upper-middle position and heat the oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment, if desired. Have a large bowl ready for seasoning and glazing the carrots.
2. Prepare carrots. Peel the carrots and cut them diagonally into two-inch pieces. Halve or quarter thick pieces lengthwise so the carrots are similar in width. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels.
3. Season pan. In the large bowl, toss carrots with olive oil, salt, pepper, and grated garlic until coated. Spread them across the baking sheet in one layer. Arrange several cut sides directly against the pan for better browning.
4. Roast carrots. Roast for 18 minutes. Turn carrots with a thin spatula, rotate the pan, and roast another 10 to 12 minutes. They are ready when the thickest pieces are tender when pierced and the edges are browned.
5. Stir glaze. While carrots roast, stir maple syrup, melted butter, thyme, lemon zest, and one tablespoon lemon juice in the now-empty bowl. Reserve remaining lemon juice for seasoning after you taste the finished carrots.
6. Finish dish. Return hot carrots to the bowl and toss with the maple mixture until evenly coated. Fold in parsley. Taste and add remaining lemon juice, salt, or pepper as needed, then transfer to a warm platter and serve.

Notes

• For evenly tender carrots, split especially thick pieces lengthwise before slicing. Similar thickness matters more than exact shape, and pieces that match in width brown and soften on the same schedule.
• For deeper browning, use an unlined light-colored metal sheet pan and watch the final five minutes closely. Direct contact darkens carrot edges and can leave sticky maple residue behind.

Nutrition Facts