Steam-Roasted Carrots with Cumin Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Steam

by: Kenzi Wilbur

February18,2014

5

7 Ratings

  • Serves 4

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

If you don't have any of these spices, or if you don't want to use them, skip them. The beauty of this recipe is in the method -- adding water right before you roast, and covering the pan -- so feel free to swap spices and play. Make it something new.

I like to add these carrots to grain salads, vegetable ones, or eat them all on their own.

This recipe is adapted from April Bloomfield's A Girl and Her Pig. —Kenzi Wilbur

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • Flaky sea salt
  • 3/4 teaspoonground cumin
  • 3/4 teaspoonground coriander
  • 1/8 teaspoonred chile flakes, or more to taste
  • 3 tablespoonsolive oil
  • 30 or so young carrots, scrubbed and left unpeeled (1 pound)
  • 1/4 cupwater
  • A handful of small, delicate cilantro sprigs
Directions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
  2. If you have any crazy large carrots, cut them in half lengthwise -- you want everything to roast at more or less the same rate.
  3. Put the minced garlic in a large mixing bowl along with the cumin, coriander, chilies, and the olive oil. Stir well.
  4. Add the carrots and toss well -- I like to do this part with my hands -- so they’re thoroughly coated. Add a big, three-finger pinch of salt. (If you're using kosher salt, just scale back slightly.)
  5. Put the carrots in a large shallow baking dish in one layer. (Alternately, just use two smaller dishes.) Make sure you scrape out all of the extra oil and spices, too. While tilting your baking dish, pour the water into one fairly clear corner. Then tip it back onto the counter, so the water spreads out evenly and the carrots don't lose their spicy coating. Cover the dish tightly with foil and put it in the oven.
  6. Cook the carrots for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for an additional 25 to 30 minutes, or until they're browned and soft, but not so much that they're falling apart.
  7. Serve warm, as a side, part of a salad, or anything you like.

Tags:

  • Middle Eastern
  • Carrot
  • Coriander
  • Cumin
  • Vegetable
  • Steam
  • Fall
  • Christmas
  • Winter
  • Gluten-Free
  • Side

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • Miss_Karen

  • Pamela Tiberius

  • Nichola

  • hardlikearmour

  • EmilyC

Popular on Food52

23 Reviews

Miss_Karen November 5, 2021

I used rainbow carrots! - Good Fall colors🙂
I had to sub parsley for cilantro (because I think cilantro vile.) Otherwise, made it as is. SNARF!

Aimee July 7, 2020

One of my all time favorite carrot dishes!

Pamela T. July 4, 2020

The only change I made was to cook the carrots a little less. The savory of the cumin complimented the sweetness Everyone liked them. I will definitely add this one to my favorites.

lizclaytonfuller October 19, 2018

Made these last night for my family and they were a huge hit! I added onions in with the carrots and used harissa and honey for the spices - they were wonderful. I will never cook carrots any other way!

Ghazzzit May 15, 2016

These are fantastic! Great texture and flavor.

Nichola September 11, 2015

My partner HATES the texture of most cooked vegetables, but he constantly asks for these carrots now as a side for everything. Thank you very much for the amazing recipe!

cpc April 6, 2015

The first time I made this I wasn't impressed and not terribly fond of cumin/carrot combo even though I like cumin. Based on others comments, I decided to alter the spices and instead used 3/4 teaspoon each of coriander and allspice and 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger (could have used more) and then added 1 tablespoon of pomegranate molasses to the oil spice mixture. I liked the flavour much better and the low maintenance recipe is so easy I used it for Easter.

fearlessem January 21, 2015

Love cumin with roasted carrots -- and the recipe I use has me parboil them first -- I like how this serves the same function in one pan! I highly recommend adding sliced avocado, cilantro, and lime to the carrots when they have cooled to room temp -- it is an amazing combination!

hardlikearmour November 12, 2014

This is one of my go-to sides. My current spin is to toss the carrots with garam masala and slice up some onion to add to the mix. LOVE!

EmilyC October 17, 2014

Used this technique for Brussels sprouts. Tossed them with olive oil, Aleppo, sea salt and honey. So good!

Kenzi W. October 17, 2014

You genius, you.

EmilyC October 17, 2014

Haha -- not hard to seem genius when working from genius! This technique is so cool.

Tarragon October 15, 2014

These were excellent and quite versatile, I made them 2 days in a row. On the second day I cut regular carrots into 2 inch chunks. I think this would be a good way to roast broccoli when one uses the entire stalk as well as the florettes.

EmilyC October 17, 2014

Great idea for broccoli! Will have to try.

EmilyC May 12, 2014

These were my contribution to Mother's Day dinner. So, so good. Love the steam-roasting technique, one that I look forward to trying with other vegetables as well.

hardlikearmour May 5, 2014

I finally made these. I added some radishes to the roasting party, and went with ras el hanout. Beyond delicious!

Tereza March 5, 2014

These would make such a beautiful side! Love the inspiration. I also love adding honey for a little extra sweetness.

http://lifeandcity.tumblr.com

Debra R. March 2, 2014

These were delicious. Cooked carrot-hating husband even raved about these tasty treats.

Matilde March 1, 2014

i looooveeed it! paired it with "requeijão" (a portuguese cheese that somewhat resembles ricotta or cottage cheese) and parsley instead of cilantro. perfect!

Mulzee February 20, 2014

I just made these tonight and they were delicious. I did 50 minutes total cooking time and they were perfectly browned and still a tad crunchy. I'm curious to try this cooking method but with caramelised onions and a bit of brown sugar! Will definitely be making these again. Thanks!

Jenali February 19, 2014

I was thinking about how I want to use the carrots I already have for a side dish. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this recipe. I will be trying it tonight!

hardlikearmour February 18, 2014

Kenzi, these carrots look absolutely delicious!

Kenzi W. February 18, 2014

Shhhh I'll tell you all about them tomorrow! :) (But so glad you think so -- they're my new favorite.)

Steam-Roasted Carrots with Cumin  Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to steam or roast carrots? ›

Essentially, if your aim is to preserve nutrients, light steaming is the way to go, but the thing is, flavour and enjoyment play a major part in food, too. “If roasting vegetables means you enjoy them more, then by all means roast them,” Hope says.

Can you roast carrots and reheat? ›

It turns out that reheating roasted veggies on the stove is the best and fastest option for ensuring they're just as delicious as they were when you first cooked them. Bonus: They'll be ready in 5 minutes or less! They're great to enjoy on their own or served over rice, pasta or creamy hummus.

What vegetables should not be steamed? ›

Veg to avoid steaming:

Any large chunks of hard veg, such as potatoes, squash or celeriac.

Should you boil carrots before roasting? ›

There is, however, a trick to getting roasted carrots right. Undercook them, and the texture is tough and dense. Overcook them, and they're dry and wrinkled. The secret is to soften the carrots slightly by boiling them briefly before roasting.

What is the best temperature for roasting vegetables? ›

The perfect temperature– 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for most roasted vegetables. It allows for a crispy, perfectly browned exterior and a fork tender interior. But it will vary based on the types of veggies and oil used. If your veggies are not browning enough, try increasing the temperature.

Why are my roast carrots soggy? ›

Too much oil and your veggies will turn out soggy and dense. But skimp on that oil and those vegetables will be too dry. Luckily, it's easy to find Goldilocks' just right amount. The solution: Before hitting the sheet pan, place the vegetables in a large bowl and add a tablespoon of oil.

How do you keep roasted vegetables crispy? ›

The #1 Tip for Extra-Crispy Roasted Vegetables
  1. Preheat oven to 425℉.
  2. Prep veggies and pat dry (ensuring the veggies are dry will help avoid clumping with the cornstarch). ...
  3. Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch per pound of vegetables. ...
  4. Roast until fork-tender and crispy, 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the vegetable.
Apr 3, 2023

Is it better to roast or steam vegetables? ›

Bake or roast gives more flavor and aroma. Steam is still better than boiling though because the nutrients are preserved and not drowned in water.

Is it better to steam carrots? ›

No matter which way you cook them, carrots are a healthy choice. Steaming is a slightly better pick since the carrots don't lose as many of their nutrients to the water. (Steaming is also more environmentally friendly since it uses less water.)

What is the healthiest way to cook carrots? ›

Another study showed both boiling and steaming increased levels of beta carotene. But try to cook carrots whole, as cutting can reduce nutrients by 25%. Wait and wash veggies just before cooking to preserve nutrients. In fact, cooking veggies whole is often the best choice to preserve nutrients.

Are steamed carrots better? ›

Although raw carrot slices go well with a dip, cooked carrots are softer and easier to chew. But that's not the only benefit of heating the vegetable. Carrots provide more antioxidants when boiled or steamed than when eaten raw, according to a January 2008 report in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

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