Maple Roasted Carrots with Crunchy Topping
I call these "convince carrot skeptics to love carrots carrots". Fun fact: I always was obsessed with carrots and I don't think there was a day growing up where carrots were not in my bagged lunch. Carrots deep orange color is due to its beta carotene richness and they are packed full of nutrients. Some health bennies include...
CARROT HEALTH BENEFITS
SKIN HEALTH: Beta carotene is converted into vitamin A in the liver making it an excellent skin health food. Topical retinoids (Retinol, Retin-A, etc.) you're using on your skin are derived from vitamin A! I love taking a whole foods approach to skin health and therefore always make a point to consume beta carotene rich foods. So yes, consuming carrots is linked with less wrinkles, acne, dryness, and blemishes :)
LIVER HEALTH: Vitamin A assists the liver in flushing out toxins
ANTI-CANCER PROPERTIES: The antioxidants (flavonoids) exert anti-cancer, immune-boosting, and inflammation reducing properties. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found carrots to be an excellent source of bioactive chemicals in the treatment of leukemia. A meta analysis published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that a high carrot consumption was inversely associated with prostate cancer risk. THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE THOUSANDS OF STUDIES DONE ON CARROTS AND CANCER!
Now, here's a fun recipe to get you started!
RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
2 lbs carrots
2 T avocado oil
2 T maple syrup
dashes of salt and pepper
Tahini drizzle (2 T tahini + 1 T water)
parsley
pumpkin seeds (2 T)
Lil Bucks everything seasoning
INSTRUCTIONS:
preheat oven to 425
peel carrots, place on parchment paper lined baking sheet
in a small bowl, mix together 2 T maple syrup and 2 T avocado oil
pour 3/4 of mixture over carrots, mix on baking sheet so carrots are fully covered
season with salt and pepper
make sure carrots are evenly spaced out and place in oven
halfway through baking, flip each carrot
while baking, mix 2 T tahini and 1 T water to create your tahini drizzle
when done cooking, serve with tahini dressing drizzled on top, 2 T pumpkin seeds, 1 t Lil Bucks Everything Seasoning, and parsley
