Roasted Garlic Smashed Carrots Recipe

Introduction

Roasted Garlic Smashed Carrots make a delightful and flavorful side dish that transforms simple carrots into a creamy, garlicky treat. This easy recipe combines the sweetness of roasted carrots with the rich depth of roasted garlic, finished with fresh parsley and lemon for a bright touch.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of carrots, peeled and cut into uniform pieces
• 1 whole head of garlic
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil, divided
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley
• Juice of half a lemon

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Step 2: Cut the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves slightly. Place the garlic on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and wrap the garlic tightly in the foil.
3. Step 3: Toss the carrot pieces with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet.
4. Step 4: Place the foil-wrapped garlic and the baking sheet with carrots in the oven. Roast the garlic for about 30-35 minutes and the carrots for 25-30 minutes or until they are tender and slightly caramelized.
5. Step 5: Once the garlic is roasted, carefully open the foil and let it cool slightly. Squeeze the garlic out of its skin into a mixing bowl.
6. Step 6: Add the roasted carrots to the bowl with the roasted garlic. Add the butter and mash the mixture with a potato masher or large fork until you reach your desired consistency.
7. Step 7: Stir in the fresh parsley and lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
8. Step 8: Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy as a healthy snack.

Tips & Variations

• For added depth, sprinkle a pinch of smoked paprika or cumin before roasting the carrots.
• Use baby carrots for a sweeter, more tender texture.
• Swap butter for olive oil or a vegan butter alternative to make this dish dairy-free.
• Adding a handful of toasted nuts like walnuts or pine nuts on top adds a nice crunch.

Storage

Store any leftover smashed carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop to avoid drying out. Adding a little extra butter or olive oil while reheating helps keep the texture creamy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-minced garlic instead of roasting a whole head?

Roasted garlic has a uniquely sweet and mellow flavor that pre-minced garlic can’t replicate. While you can substitute, the taste and texture of the dish may be less rich and creamy.

How can I make this recipe vegan?

Simply replace the butter with a plant-based butter or additional olive oil to keep it vegan-friendly without sacrificing creaminess.

Roasted Garlic Smashed Carrots Recipe

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Roasted Garlic Smashed Carrots is a flavorful side dish featuring tender roasted carrots combined with sweet, mellow roasted garlic, fresh parsley, and a hint of lemon juice. This recipe is simple to prepare and brings out the natural sweetness of carrots through roasting and mashing, enhanced with butter and olive oil for richness. Perfect as a healthy side or snack, it balances savory, tangy, and fresh notes for a comforting vegetable dish.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

• 2 pounds of carrots, peeled and cut into uniform pieces
• 1 whole head of garlic

Oils and Fats

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon of butter

Seasonings and Herbs

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley
• Juice of half a lemon

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for roasting the carrots and garlic evenly.
2. Prepare the Garlic: Cut the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves slightly. Place the garlic on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and wrap it tightly in the foil to roast and soften the garlic inside.
3. Season the Carrots: Toss the peeled and cut carrot pieces with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Spread them out evenly on a baking sheet to roast uniformly.
4. Roast Garlic and Carrots: Place the foil-wrapped garlic and the baking sheet with carrots in the oven at the same time. Roast the garlic for about 30-35 minutes until soft and caramelized, and roast the carrots for 25-30 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
5. Prepare Roasted Garlic: Once the garlic is roasted, carefully unwrap the foil and allow it to cool slightly. Squeeze the softened, roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a mixing bowl.
6. Mash Carrots and Garlic: Add the roasted carrots to the bowl with the roasted garlic. Add 1 tablespoon of butter, then mash the mixture using a potato masher or a large fork until you achieve your preferred consistency, whether chunky or smooth.
7. Add Flavorings: Stir in the fresh chopped parsley and the juice of half a lemon. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning by adding more salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed.
8. Serve: Serve the roasted garlic smashed carrots warm as a delicious and healthy side dish or enjoy it as a nutritious snack.

Notes

• Ensure carrots are cut into uniform sizes for even roasting.
• Use fresh parsley for vibrant flavor; you can substitute with cilantro if preferred.
• The lemon juice adds brightness; adjust quantity to taste.
• For a vegan option, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Keywords: Roasted garlic, smashed carrots, side dish, healthy vegetable recipe, roasted vegetables, easy carrot recipe