The farm-to-table trend is not only healthy, but also gets you to try exotic foods, like these jeweled roasted baby carrots with thyme.
I love farmer’s markets. I find walking up and down the stalls to be super relaxing and enjoyable. It is not only my happy place, but I find so much inspiration amongst the gorgeous fruits and vegetables that I find there.
Summer farmer’s markets are personal favorite because hello?! Summer produce! So many wonderful treats to see and sample. Nothing beats the quaint farmer’s market where you meander up and down the stalls and sample the goodies.
When my kids were little, they were dazzled with the many colorful carrots and berries they found here. And they thoroughly enjoyed sampling the slices of peaches, oranges and strawberries.
Which one tasted better? Let me try another piece!
Why you should try this recipe
I dragged my family to visit the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market, which is over 30 minutes away from us. It is one of the largest farmer’s markets in San Diego. The kids were fascinated with the colors, varieties and smells they encountered.
White cucumbers. Gorgeous heirloom tomatoes. Bejeweled carrots. Swoon!
When you have high quality produce that really does taste good, you do not need to do much to cook them. Don’t drown them in heavy sauces or steam them until they turn to mush.
Roasting vegetables is my personal favorite way to enjoy them. It is quick and simple and the flavors almost caramelize while they roast.
I am not really a fan of cooked carrots, but oh did I fall in love with these roasted baby carrots. Just a drizzle of olive oil, some salt and pepper and a sprinkling of fresh thyme and you have a delicious, elegant and simple side dish.
Ingredients you need
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- Baby carrots: I am talking about small immature, young carrots not those knobby small snack carrots that are cut from larger carrots. Choose all one color or a variety of colors.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Olive oil adds flavor and helps the carrots caramelize while it roasts. You can use a peppery or mild flavored olive oil.
- Fresh thyme: Since we are talking about farm to table, use fresh thyme, oregano or rosemary and not dried herbs.
- Salt and pepper
Step-by-step directions
1. Coat carrots with extra virgin olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven at 400ºF until fork tender, about 25 minutes. Time will vary depending on size and thickness of carrots.
2. Transfer carrots to a serving platter, garnish with fresh thyme.
Recipe tips and FAQs
Don’t let the simpleness of this recipe fool you. Baby carrots are more tender and delicious compared to the full grown variety. Again, don’t get the snack carrots. Those are cut from larger mature carrots and take longer to cook.
I finished the dish with some fresh thyme, but you can use any fresh herbs you have growing in your garden.
Do you have access to a good farmer’s market? And if you do, how often do you go?
These beauties taste best the day you make them. If you have any leftovers, refrigerate them in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days. You can reheat them in the microwave or sauté in a pan.
Generously coat baby carrots in extra virgin olive oil. Line them in one layer on a baking sheet and season with salt. Roast at 400ºF for about 20 minutes or until fork tender. You could line your pan with aluminum foil, but if the carrots are coated in oil, it is not necessary.
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Roasted Baby Carrots with Thyme
Ingredients
- 12 baby carrots
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper ground
- 1 tablespoon thyme fresh
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF.
- Wash and trim ends of carrots.
- Pat carrots dry with paper towel and arrange in one layer in a baking sheet.
- Coat carrots with extra virgin olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
- Roast in the oven until fork tender, about 25 minutes.
- Transfer carrots to a serving platter, garnish with fresh thyme.
Nutrition
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.
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Written by Laura Bashar
Hi, I’m Laura, a certified professional cook and cookbook author living in San Diego. I have been sharing my family’s favorite recipes inspired from all over the world since 2008. Let’s cook up something fun!
Isn’t it funny how we forget what’s near us? We vowed to have a San Diego stay-cation so I’ll remind you what’s in our great city!
Fun post and recipe! I still haven’t made it to the Hilcrest Farmer’s Market-that will definitely be on our “Summer To-Do List” since the last day of school is tomorrow 🙂 I can totally relate to all the “I wants”-glad you got your own “I want” in!
I love farmer’s markets! Fortunately we have one within walking distance that is open every Saturday. Now I guess you know how we spend Saturday mornings! Love roasted carrots – such great flavor. Glad you got to do what you wanted for a change!
I told my kids that this summer we will the farmer’s market more often – no choice!
Inspiring stuff! I’m exactly the same kind of Mum as you – my wail is always for the farmer’s market, the farm shop or the butchers – I find it more exciting than shoe shopping! My daughter is eight months old so is still very portable but I sense that as time goes on I will have to fight for these favourite outings of mine!
Thanks for sharing!
Oh, just stick your daughter in a sling, backpack, or stroller and go for it!
Haha, yes, I don’t plan on giving her much choice! I throw her in the sling and get on with it – she came with us to Borough Market, London on Sunday and everyone made a fuss on her – they just love to see babies and children involved in food. So if that level of attention continues, I don’t see it being a problem to maintain her interest in these outings!
Not just you, I also haven’t been to Farmer’s Market for a long time. I used to take my son in stroller but once he started to walk, I completely stopped going! Beautiful carrots and I love roasted veggies. Thyme is perfect fragrance for these.
Ah, the joys of motherhood and the sacrifices we make to keep the peace! I bet your kids would enjoy it now that they are a little bit older, Nami!
Farmers’ Markets: my very favourite place to go! Yours looks fun – what a great, sunny, healthy day for the kids also! Wonder you had the strength to do the carrots: but they do look appetizingly beautiful on that plate 🙂 !
The kids had a great time stuffing their faces with all the free samples!
That farmers market looks incredible. I *love* carrots (I snack on them daily with hummus or salsa) and those jeweled carrots are so pretty!
My kids were fascinated that carrots came in other colors.
I’m ashamed to live a mile away from the market and not be a “regular” any more. The crowds put me off a bit, but it is THE best market in the county. So glad your family had fun there.
We have farmer’s market about a mile from us that just opened on Thursday afternoons and I haven’t hit that one yet!
I love farmers markets and go to at least one a week.
Those baby carrots are better than candy for me. They look so good!
They tasted as sweet as candy, too!