Roasted Honey Butter Carrots

By peridot728

These roasted honey butter carrots are a perfect side dish for any meal, and great for holidays like Thanksgiving and Easter. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds carrots
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional garnish: 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives, green onions, parsley or dill
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon honey

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup, if desired.

To prepare your carrots, peel them and then cut them on the diagonal so each piece is about 1/2-inch thick at the widest part (see photos).
Place the carrots on the baking sheet. Add the olive oil and salt.*

Toss until the carrots are lightly coated in oil and seasonings. Arrange them in a single layer. Roast the carrots until they’re caramelized on the edges and easily pierced through by a fork, 25 to 40 minutes, tossing halfway.**

(Heirloom carrot varieties will roast in as little as 25 minutes, but regular carrots are more dense and typically require 35 to 40 minutes.)
Sprinkle fresh herbs over the roasted carrots, if using.

When the carrots are nearly done baking, melt the butter in your smallest saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, cover the pan to avoid splatters and continue cooking, swirling the pan occasionally, just until you start seeing golden flecks at the bottom, about 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the honey. Once the carrots are done, drizzle the mixture over them and toss to coat.

PREPARE IN ADVANCE:
You can peel and slice the carrots in advance. For maximum freshness, store them in a bowl of water in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roast them. Drain and pat dry before proceeding.

DOUBLE IT:
You can roast two pans of carrots in the oven at once. Just position two racks near the center of the oven before you preheat it. When you toss the carrots halfway through cooking, swap the pans on their rack positions (from top to bottom, and bottom to top).

Serve the carrots warm, straight from the sheet pan or from a serving dish. Leftover carrots will keep well, covered and refrigerated, for 3 to 4 days. Gently reheat before serving.