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Home » Side Dish » Zesty Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Zesty Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

03/27/2021 By Laura 14 Comments

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Crispy-edged, creamy-middled, Roasted Carrots and Parsnips are so flavorful, seasoned with a zesty, slightly spicy and slightly citrusy mix. Easy enough for a weeknight, flavorful enough for a Holiday Side Dish!

Perfect for any weeknight or special occasion, zesty, citrusy roasted carrots and parsnips are so easy and super-tasty

I don’t know about you, but when I was a kid, I had ZERO appreciation for vegetables. They were the thing on my plate we would try to avoid (to no avail, of course) by slipping them into a napkin and “needing to go to the bathroom.” (Talking about my siblings here, because I would NEVER! – honestly, I’m such a rule-follower!) As if our parents didn’t know our evil plan. Not many vegetables were flushed, to be sure. But they were canned vegetables, purchased by the case and stored in a coat closet. So…they kind of deserved it. Agree?

One thing I wanted to do for my own kids was to make vegetables more interesting by making them more prominent in a meal, rather than something you just have to get through. Tasty salads, like my Elote (Mexican Street Corn) Salad results in second helpings of vegetables for sure! And, consistently, I’ve found that roasting root vegetables, like these roasted carrots and parsnips, is the best way to show them inexpensive, (and unattractive!) hearty vegetables can be both easy and delicious.

Perfect for any weeknight or special occasion, zesty, citrusy roasted carrots and parsnips are so easy and super-tasty

This particular recipe for Roasted Spring Vegetables in a zesty spice mix is a wonderful way to roast root vegetables. These carrots and parsnips are so flavorful! Each ingredient adds something special: A little maple syrup compliments their natural sweetness. Smoked paprika adds some zing and a nice smokiness. Sumac brings some spice and a bit of citrus-like flavor. A little earthy flavor from Oregano. Drizzle with a bit of lime yogurt dressing, and eat them right from the oven, or even cold the next day (!).

And, the texture, so nice! Crispy-edged, tender-middled, these vegetables have it all going on! Drizzle with the lime yogurts sauce and they’re practically a meal on their own. Flavor, texture, nutrition! And so easy to make! See below for detailed instructions, photos and tips!

Perfect for any weeknight or special occasion, zesty, citrusy roasted carrots and parsnips are so easy and super-tasty

So, are you like me? Did you grow up eating canned vegetables? Or, were you more vegetable-savvy, eating roasted vegetables and interesting salads? Let me know! And, try these Carrots and Parsnips – quick prep, easy, tasty!

Enjoy!

Need some other vegetable recipes? Try these:

Green Beans Mediterranean Style

The tastiest! Easy Smoky Kale

Roasted Balsamic Vegetables

Roasted Sunchokes with Basil and Mint

Spicy Mexican Street Corn Salad

Like Roasted Root Vegetables? Pin it!

  • Pinterest Image Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
  • Pinterest Image Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
  • Pinterest Image Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

How to make these Roasted Root Vegetables

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission, at absolutely no cost to you, for purchases you may make of items linked from this site.

Some things you may need:

A Baking Sheet or 2, like these awesome ones from USAPAN! Nonstick, so easy to clean, and ridged for the best baking!

Vegetable Peeler – from OXO, this is the one I use!

Mixing Bowl – This set is easy to use, and lasts forever!

Perfect for any weeknight or special occasion, zesty, citrusy roasted carrots and parsnips are so easy and super-tasty

Recipe Steps:

Roasting Vegetables is super-easy. The basic rules are: Cut. Season. Roast.

1. Cut all the vegetables roughly the same size and shape. This allows them all to cook evenly so one type doesn’t get overcooked while others are undercooked.

2. Season well!  Pour the olive oil and maple syrup over the cut vegetables. Stir to distribute. Then mix together the rest of the spices, including salt and pepper. Be sure to add the prescribed amount of salt and pepper. These will make your vegetables flavorful! Then pour them over the oiled vegetables, mix well to distribute. Pour over parchment-lined or oiled baking sheet(s).

3. Don’t overfill your baking sheet! If your vegetables are touching, or stacked on top of one another, go ahead and spread them over 2 baking sheets instead of one. This way, they will roast instead of steam. This will maintain their flavor, allow the outsides to crisp a bit, and make the insides soft, creamy and delicious!

4. Turn halfway through baking time. This will make both sides nice and toasty! Check every few minutes after the veg have been in for 30 minutes. Once they look toasty, they are done. If you like them a bit darker (I do!) let them go until the edges are as dark as you like.

  • Ingredients for Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
    Carrots and Parsnips
  • Spices for roasted carrots and parsnips
    Salt, Pepper, Smk Paprika, Oregano, Onion, Garlic, Sumac
  • How to cut a carrot for roasting
    Cut in wedges
  • 2 lb carrots and parsnip wedges for roasting
    Cut into wedges
  • Evenly distribute the spice mixture
    Add Spice Mixture
  • Carrot and parsnip wedges covering most of sheet pan
    Ready to Roast

Some Questions you may have about Roasting Vegetables:

Can I use other Vegetables?

Yes, definitely! You can use other types of root vegetables, like Sunchokes, beets, turnips, or even sweet onions. You just want to make sure all the pieces on the tray are roughly the same size, and the total weight comes to about 2 lb.

What if I have only 1 lb of Vegetables?

Just cut the amounts of everything in half! If you have more than 2 lb, you’ll want to use 2 baking sheets.  You could even use 2 sheets for the 2 lb. You don’t want any of the vegetables to touch one another or be stacked on top of another, because you want the vegetables to roast, as opposed to steam.

I don’t have Sumac. Can I just omit it?

You can omit it. But it’s a wonderful spice that adds a lovely zesty flavor, kind of tart and citrusy. So if you omit it, I’d be sure to make the lime-yogurt dressing and maybe add a bit of extra lime. 

Perfect for any weeknight or special occasion, zesty, citrusy roasted carrots and parsnips are so easy and super-tasty
Print

Roasted Carrots and Parsnips

Perfect for any weeknight or special occasion, zesty, citrusy roasted carrots and parsnips are so easy and super-tasty
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 6 reviews

Crispy-edged, creamy-middled roasted Carrots and Parsnips are so flavorful, seasoned with a zesty, slightly spicy and slightly citrusy mix. If you need even more flavor, feel free to dip them in your favorite salad dressing, sour cream, or citrusy-spritzed plain yogurt, like I did!

  • Author: Laura
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 30-38 min
  • Total Time: 50 min
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Vegetable
  • Method: Oven Roast
  • Cuisine: International

Ingredients

Scale

For the Carrots and Parsnips:

  • 1 3/4 – 2 lb Carrots and Parsnips, (about 5 medium carrots and 3 medium parsnips) peeled or scrubbed, sliced into 2-3″ wedges
  • 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Tbsp Maple Syrup
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp Oregano
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
  • 3/4 tsp Sumac

For the Yogurt Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup (114ml) Lowfat Plain Greek Yogurt (See Note)
  • 1–2 tsp (to taste) Lime Juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425F (Conventional) or 400F (Convection/Fan). 
  2. Cut parsnips and carrots into (thumb-length) 2-3 inch sections, then each section into 1/2″ thick wedges. Place all in a large bowl.
  3. Drizzle with the olive oil and Maple Syrup, and stir to distribute. Make a spice mix out of the rest of the ingredients. Sprinkle over oil-covered vegetables, stir again.
  4. Pour coated vegetables over parchment-lined or oiled sheet pan. IMPORTANT: If they are touching, put them on 2 sheet pans instead of 1, and rotate midway through roasting time.
  5. Place in preheated oven for 30-38 minutes, turning once after 20 minutes. I took mine out after 38 minutes, because I like them to have a bit of a char. Vegetables should be nicely crisped and dark golden, and creamy in the middle. 
  6. Make the yogurt sauce for drizzling or dipping: Stir together the yogurt and lime juice. Serve with hot vegetables!

Notes

  1. You can use any type of yogurt, vegan or dairy, as long as it’s plain.  Or, sour cream or mayonnaise will work as well.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 Recipe

Keywords: carrots and parsnips, roast carrots and parsnips, roasted root vegetables, easy roasted root vegetables, glazed root vegetables, best spring vegetables, easter vegetable recipe, maple carrots and parsnips, Easter vegetables, Easter side dish, roasted carrots and parsnips with maple syrup, spring vegetables, roasted, roasted spring vegetables, spring root vegetables, carrot fries, parsnip fries recipe, how to roast root vegetables, how to cook parsnips

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Filed Under: Easy, Gluten free, Healthy, Recipe, Sheet Pan, Side Dish, Vegan-adaptable, Vegetables, Vegetarian Tagged With: carrots, how to roast root vegetables, parsnips, roasted vegetables, root vegetables, spring, spring vegetables, sumac

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kim Lange says

    03/31/2021 at 3:41 pm

    Wow! These roasted carrots and parsnips are so lovely. Roasting veggies is the way to go! I love your presentation, pinning! Happy Easter Laura!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      04/03/2021 at 3:35 pm

      Thanks so much,, Kim and I appreciate your pin! Happy Easter to you, too!

      Reply
  2. Jeff the Chef says

    03/30/2021 at 7:05 am

    I was a weird kid who liked everything, including veg. Today, I’d relish a plate of roasted vegetables – especially in a nice dressing – as much as any other kind of food – especially when you attach the idea of crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside!

    Reply
    • Laura says

      03/30/2021 at 2:17 pm

      Thanks so much! Like you, I’m crazy for roasted vegetables, too! Thanks for your kind words!

      Reply
  3. Dawn - Girl Heart Food says

    03/30/2021 at 4:25 am

    Do these ever look good? With all that delicious seasoning, I know I would love these and pretty sure I could make a meal out of just these veggies! Can’t wait to try!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      03/30/2021 at 2:16 pm

      Thanks, Dawn! I have to say, I’ve definitely made a nice lunch out of them! And, I’m with you, I love a well-seasoned vegetable!

      Reply
  4. Ben | Havocinthekitchen says

    03/29/2021 at 5:15 pm

    I’m a huge fan of parsnips and the combination of parsnips and carrots. Combined with aromatic spices and roasted to perfection, that’s so delicious. I love the idea of yogurt dressing, and I think it certainly could be a yogurt-tahini sauce too, for some Mediterranean vibes!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      03/30/2021 at 2:15 pm

      Thanks, Ben! And what a great idea to add tahini! next time, for sure! thanks for the idea and for your comment!

      Reply
  5. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

    03/29/2021 at 1:07 pm

    Haha, Laura. Your post made me laugh about sneaking vegetables into a napkin. That was me and my Mom’s minute steak. I would chew it a bit and then spit it into a napkin and hide it. Kids are so weird. These vegetables look amazing!! I would never hide these in a napkin 😉 Love the flavors!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      03/29/2021 at 2:01 pm

      Thanks, Katherine! I’m glad we weren’t the only ones with creative uses for a napkin! Hope you get the chance to try them, especially since they won’t end up in that napkin! Strange how so many kids use that “trick”!

      Reply
  6. David @ Spiced says

    03/29/2021 at 4:36 am

    Growing up, I was the exact same way as you – veggies were the things you pushed to the edge of the plate until you begrudgingly ate enough to be done with dinner. But now I have a full appreciation for veggies! I do enjoy roasting root vegetables, and these carrots + parsnips are calling my name. I’m also intrigued with the sumac in there – I don’t think I’ve ever played around with that seasoning!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      03/29/2021 at 2:00 pm

      David, glad Im not the only one who tried to make it look like I ate enough veg as a child! But, definitely, these days, veggies get the full-on cooking/roasting treatment! And I love them! You should definitely try some sumac! It’s often used in the Middle East and Turkey, and offers a kind of pungent, almost bitter-ish, and citrus flavor to foods! It’s definitely one to have on hand!

      Reply
  7. Neil says

    03/29/2021 at 4:13 am

    I love how you’ve made these veggies so much more interesting than boiled Laura! To be honest I never really had too many problems eating veggies myself when I was younger. But I hated vegetables from our garden. I only liked tinned or frozen veggies. It’s all different now of course!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Laura says

      03/29/2021 at 1:56 pm

      We occasionally were served frozen veggies, but in the pre-microwave days, canned were definitely a little simpler. And, of course once we got a microwave, canned were way faster! I’m with you now, too, for sure – fresh is definitely best! Thanks for your kind words, Neil!

      Reply

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