Roast Carrots and Parsnips with Orange and Almonds Traybake

Packed with flavour and all in one baking tray, this carrot and parsnip traybake can make a perfect weeknight meal or simple side for a special meal.

Some readers may like to add a side of cauliflower couscous, couscous or bulgur wheat, and a spoonful or two of natural (or vegan) yoghurt. Please note the carbohydrate count may be too high for some readers, so please be sure the recipe fits well with your menu/lifestyle plans. (see a lower carb recipe suggestion, link below)

Each serving of this traybake provides 327 kcal, 6g protein, 26.5g carbohydrates (of which 17g sugars), 19g fat (of which 4g saturates), 11g fibre and 1.5g salt.

Ingredients

Serves Four
500g/1lb 2oz carrots, peeled and quartered lengthways
500g/1lb 2oz parsnips, peeled and quartered lengthways
1 red onion, thickly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter or dairy-free spread
5cm/2in piece fresh root ginger, peeled and grated
1 clementine, grated zest and juice
6 cardamom pods, bashed
3 garlic cloves, unpeeled and bashed
large handful fresh lemon thyme
40g/1½oz flaked almonds
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
½ lemon, juice only
1 tsp sea salt flakes
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Recipe Tip
To make it vegan, use dairy-free spread instead of butter. If you’re not dairy free, you can add crumbled feta or goats’ cheese before serving.
Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7.
2. Tip the carrots, parsnips and onion into a roasting tin large enough to hold everything in one layer. Toss with the olive oil, butter (or vegan spread), ginger, clementine zest, cardamom, garlic and the salt. Scatter with the lemon thyme and some black pepper. Roast for 40 minutes.
3. Scatter over the flaked almonds and bake for 5 minutes, or until just toasted.
4. Dress with extra virgin olive oil, clementine and lemon juice, taste and add more salt if needed. 

5. Enjoy with serving of your choice; cauliflower couscous, hot couscous and yoghurt.

From original idea here

For those readers who may prefer a lower carb dish how about these

Aubergine / Eggplant Melts, see here

Celeriac and Walnut Gratin, see here

Dear reader, this blog brings a variety of articles and recipe ideas, and it is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan