Barbecued carrot, ricotta and toasted pecans

by Genevieve Taylor

Ingredients

carrots 500g bunch, preferably with the tops on
olive oil 2 tbsp
cumin seeds 1 tbsp, lightly crushed in a pestle and mortar
soft dark brown sugar 1 tsp
dried chilli flakes 1 tsp, ideally chipotle chilli flakes
garlic 1 clove, crushed
ricotta 250g
spring onions ½ bunch, thinly sliced
pecans 50g, toasted and chopped
coriander a small bunch, chopped
extra virgin olive oil to drizzle

Directions

Trim the tops off the carrots and scrub under running water. Slice in half lengthways, or into quarters if they are a little larger – you want them to be approximately finger-thickness.

Fill a pan with boiling water and add a little salt, then set over a high heat and bring back to the boil. Once boiling, add the carrots and blanch for 3 minutes. Drain well and tip into a mixing bowl. While they are still hot, add the olive oil, cumin, brown sugar, chilli flakes and garlic and stir well to mix. Cover and leave to marinate for a couple of hours at room temperature.

Once you are ready to cook, fire up your barbecue ready for direct grilling, or preheat a cast-iron griddle pan on the hob.

Lay the carrots on the grill bars or griddle and cook for 15–20 minutes, turning regularly, until they are nicely caramelised. If you are barbecuing, you can add a few smoking wood chunks or chips to up the smokiness. Use a brush to baste the carrots with any excess marinade from the bowl as you turn them.

Once soft and caramelised, scatter the carrots over a serving plate and dot with heaped teaspoons of ricotta. Sprinkle over the spring onions, chopped pecans and coriander. Finally, add a generous drizzle of olive oil and finish with a good grind of pepper. Serve while still warm.

Such an amazing project which results in amazing veg to feed us throughout the week ! It has also introduced us to veg we might otherwise not have tried and love them now. And it's all local and chemical free! Cannot recommend it enough :)

— Anna

Get started!

Your first box is only a few clicks away. Get a box of fresh, local food in your kitchen soon, packed with care and supporting your local farmers and artisan producers.