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Easy Roasted Whole Carrots With Creamy Tahini Dressing

Easy Roasted Whole Carrots With Creamy Tahini Dressing

Whole carrots roast until tender and browned, then receive a creamy lemon-tahini dressing for a simple Mediterranean-inspired side dish. Serve warm or at room temperature with herbs and sesame seeds.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Roasted Carrots
  • 2 pounds Whole carrots, preferably small to medium-sized
  • 1 tablespoon Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon, plus more to taste Kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
Creamy Tahini Dressing
  • 1/4 cup Tahini
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove Small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 2-4 tablespoons, as needed Cold water
  • 1 teaspoon Maple syrup or honey, optional
Optional Garnish
  • 1-2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
  • As desired Toasted sesame seeds, ground cumin, sumac, or lemon zest

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment if desired, which makes cleanup especially easy.
  2. Trim the carrot tops, leaving a small stem if preferred. Peel or scrub the carrots well, and halve any especially thick carrots lengthwise so all pieces roast at a similar rate.
  3. Toss the carrots with the olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Arrange them in one uncrowded layer on the baking sheet.
  4. Roast for 25 to 35 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the carrots have browned spots and are tender when pierced with a knife. Very thick carrots may need a few additional minutes.
  5. While the carrots roast, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and optional maple syrup or honey. Gradually whisk in cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dressing is smooth and pourable.
  6. Spread or drizzle the tahini dressing over the warm roasted carrots. Finish with parsley or cilantro, sesame seeds, a pinch of cumin or sumac, and lemon zest if desired.

Notes

Do not crowd the baking sheet, because trapped steam can prevent browning. Tahini may thicken when lemon juice is added, so whisk in cold water gradually until creamy. Store carrots and dressing separately in the refrigerator and gently bring them toward room temperature before serving.