Do heritage carrots need parboiling before roasting?

Yes. Parboil them in salted water for 8 minutes, then let them steam dry in the colander. Any excess moisture makes them steam in the oven rather than caramelise, so this step is worth taking time over.

When should I add the maple syrup to the carrots?

Halfway through. Roast the carrots plain on a grill tray on the middle rack at 160°C (320°F) for 15 minutes, then toss them in the maple syrup and thyme and roast for a further 15 minutes until glossy and tender.

Can I use ordinary carrots instead of heritage ones?

Yes, ordinary carrots work with the same method, though you lose the mix of colours. Keep them a similar size so they cook evenly, and check they are tender at the end of the second roast.

What goes well with maple roasted carrots?

They pair well with rib of beef or Christmas goose, and make a festive side for 4 to 6 people. Pile them onto a warm platter and spoon over any syrup left in the bowl just before serving.

Outdoor Cooking & Charcoal Oven Recipes / Roast

Roasted heritage carrots glazed with maple syrup and thyme

Roasted Heritage Carrots with Maple Syrup and Thyme

Name: Roasted Heritage Carrots with Maple Syrup and Thyme
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Yield: 4 to 6
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1kg before trimming Mixed heritage carrots; 100ml maple syrup; 2 tsp leaves (about 8 sprigs) Fresh thyme; Good quality lumpwood charcoal such as Stag Charcoal

Maple syrup and thyme bring out the sweetness of heritage carrots as they roast in Charlie. A mix of colours looks lovely, though ordinary carrots work too. Tender, lightly caramelised and very happy beside a roast.

William PodburyChef

Roast

Prep15 minutes

Cook40 minutes

Serves4 to 6

DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

1kg before trimming Mixed heritage carrots
100ml maple syrup
2 tsp leaves (about 8 sprigs) Fresh thyme
Good quality lumpwood charcoal such as Stag Charcoal

Equipment

Charlie Charcoal Oven$6,400.00 View, Charlie Charcoal Oven
Perforated Plancha Rack$300.00 View, Perforated Plancha Rack

Method

1. Trim most of the tops from the carrots, leaving a small tuft for presentation if you like. Scrub well under cold water to remove any soil.
2. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the carrots and parboil for 8 minutes. Drain and allow to steam dry in the colander. This is important so they roast rather than steam.
3. Add a half football-sized pile of lumpwood charcoal to the fire grates and light. Bring the Charlie Oven to 160°C (320°F).
4. Lay the carrots on a grill tray in a single layer. Set the tray on the middle rack and cook at 160°C (320°F) for 15 minutes until the carrots take on gentle smoke and colour.
5. Remove the tray and tip the carrots into a mixing bowl. Add the maple syrup and thyme leaves and toss well until fully coated.
6. Return the carrots to the grill tray and cook for a further 15 minutes until glossy, caramelised, and tender.
7. Give a final toss in the bowl, then pile onto a warm platter and spoon over any remaining syrup.

More recipes

The cook

William Podbury

Chef

William Podbury is a professional chef and open fire cooking expert. Formerly a chef at Embers in Northampton, his cooking is all about harnessing fire and smoke to get the very best from great ingredients.

More recipes by William Podbury

Frequently asked questions

Do heritage carrots need parboiling before roasting?

Yes. Parboil them in salted water for 8 minutes, then let them steam dry in the colander. Any excess moisture makes them steam in the oven rather than caramelise, so this step is worth taking time over.
When should I add the maple syrup to the carrots?

Halfway through. Roast the carrots plain on a grill tray on the middle rack at 160°C (320°F) for 15 minutes, then toss them in the maple syrup and thyme and roast for a further 15 minutes until glossy and tender.
Can I use ordinary carrots instead of heritage ones?

Yes, ordinary carrots work with the same method, though you lose the mix of colours. Keep them a similar size so they cook evenly, and check they are tender at the end of the second roast.
What goes well with maple roasted carrots?

They pair well with rib of beef or Christmas goose, and make a festive side for 4 to 6 people. Pile them onto a warm platter and spoon over any syrup left in the bowl just before serving.