Gorgeous rainbow carrots! I have to admit they’re much more exciting than plain carrots and I’m drawn to them whenever I see their vibrant colors and pretty shapes.
I love roasting them because roasting creates caramelization and we all know that caramelization equals intense flavor, especially so when dowsed with grated parmesan and infused garlic oil.
The baked ricotta is a flavorful base that showcases the vibrant colors of the rainbow carrots and takes this lovely side dish to another level!
When I saw this huge bundle at the farmers market I just couldn’t resist, they get me every time!
Tossing the carrots into a garlic infused olive oil is a nice savory contrast that goes well with the sweetness of the carrots as they roast.
Halfway through the roasting process you sprinkle in a generous amount of grated Parmigiano Reggiano which will create a yummy crust all over as it bakes on.
The ricotta gets prepped before it’s baked with grated Parmigiano, garlic, herbs and lemon zest. Both elements of this dish, the carrots and the ricotta are roasted separately then brought together as one.
The ricotta becomes a heavenly pairing when eaten together with the cheesy carrots, and I must say it makes a dynamite presentation!
I posted this version a couple of years ago, rainbow carrots roasted with balsamic and thyme, and again I placed it on a bed of baked ricotta, it’s crazy good as well!
And this pretty rainbow carrot ribbon salad, posted a few years ago, it’s crunchy, delicious and filled with so much flavor. I told you I can’t resist them!
Follow me on Instagram to see what else I’m cooking up during the week.
- 1 bundle of rainbow carrots, (preferably the long slender ones, if they have tops, snip them off,
- (although if you can't find them you can use the plain orange ones but pick the thinner ones.)
- 1½ cups of whole milk ricotta, liquid drained
- 1 egg
- 1 generous cup or so of grated Parmigiano Reggiano, half for the ricotta mixture and the other half for sprinkling on the carrots. ( you can sub grated pecorino)
- 1 small smashed garlic clove
- zest of a lemon
- chopped basil and parsley
- salt and pepper
- infused garlic oil for roasting the carrots, but can sub regular olive oil
- olive oil for drizzling
- Toss the carrots with the olive oil, salt and pepper, then place them single layer on a rimmed baking sheet or parchment.
- Place the carrots into a 400 degree oven turning them until the bottom starts to look golden, you don't want mushy carrots, aim for a little bite to them.
- Halfway through the roasting process pull the pan out and generously sprinkle the grated cheese and some of the chopped herbs all over the carrots, return to the oven to let them finish cooking and a little crust forms on the carrots.
- When carrots are finished remove and set aside.
- Turn oven down to 375.
- In a small bowl add the ricotta, egg, salt and pepper, smashed garlic clove, lemon zest and some of the chopped herbs, mix well til all combined.
- Oil the bottom of a casserole dish.
- Spread your ricotta mixture on the bottom.
- Place casserole dish into oven and bake for around 20 minutes, ovens vary so check to see if ricotta is set, if it looks too pale, place it under the broiler for just a couple of minutes so it looks lightly golden, but don't leave the scene!
- Then arrange the cooked carrots on top of the cooked cooked ricotta, garnish with more grated cheese and fresh herbs and a drizzle of olive oil all over.
- Both can be done early in the day then warmed up later before eating.
I couldn’t resist these beautiful rainbow carrots the other day while I was shopping, I quickly stuck them into my cart not knowing what I was going to make with them, but I was inspired by their vibrant colors!
Just look at these beauties! The colors are amazing, deep purple, yellow, red, white, peach and of course orange. I decided to make a salad, shaving the carrots into ribbons using my vegetable peeler so I could showcase all the gorgeous colors inside.
As I was shaving them their deep rich colors were even more pronounced, my favorite was the purple with the yellow center.
Surprisingly their flavor isn’t all that much different, some of the carrots might taste slightly sweeter than the others but you sure can’t beat the visual! Imagine this on a large platter as a side dish. I served it with grilled salmon, a beautiful healthy meal that needed nothing else!
Works of art for under five dollars, your guests will be impressed, it’s turns the humble carrot into a very sophisticated dish!
Of course I had to make my salad Italian style with ribbons of Parmigiano Reggiano tossed inside, I also added arugula which balanced the sweetness of the carrots perfectly.
Fresh basil, parsley and slivers of red onion added and tossed with my homemade vinaigrette, I’m telling you there wasn’t one ribbon left on the platter!
Don’t pass these babies up!
I’m Marie, a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and gramma of two beautiful girls. My passion is food, clear and simple but especially Italian food, hence the name of my blog, Proud Italian Cook. I want you to feel right at home here so grab a cup of coffee, I’ll get the pastries, take a look around and enjoy your visit! {
