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Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Carrot Top Salsa Verde

Rainbow carrots roasted and topped with a bright salsa verde made from the carrot tops themselves, plus mint, chives, anchovy, and lemon. A zero-waste, garden-to-plate side dish.

Ingredients

Carrots

  • pounds rainbow carrots with tops attached, scrubbed (halved lengthwise if thick), tops reserved
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Black pepper

Carrot top salsa verde

  • 1 cup tightly packed carrot tops (leaves and tender upper stems only)
  • ¼ cup tightly packed mint leaves
  • ¼ cup chopped chives
  • 3 oil-packed anchovy fillets, finely chopped
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • ½ cup good olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Flaky salt to finish

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 425°F. Toss carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper on a sheet pan. Arrange in a single layer.
  2. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping once, until deeply caramelized in spots and tender when pierced.
  3. While carrots roast, pick carrot top leaves and tender stems off the woody main stems. Rinse and dry.
  4. In a food processor, add the carrot tops, mint, and chives together. Pulse 8 to 10 times until minced and uniform.
  5. Scrape into a bowl. Add anchovies, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Mix on high speed for 15 to 20 seconds until a sauce like consistency forms. Some herby chunks are okay. Taste and adjust with more salt, lemon juice, and/or pepper.
  6. Arrange carrots on a platter, spoon the salsa verde over. Using tongs, mix thoroughly. Finish with a couple pinches of flaky salt.

Notes

  • Choose carrots with fresh, perky tops. Yellowed or wilted tops mean older carrots.
  • The salsa is brightest within 4 hours of making. Holds 24 hours covered in the fridge with a layer of olive oil on top.
  • Sub 1 cup flat-leaf parsley if no carrot tops are available, but you lose the moment.

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