Ten minutes is all it takes to make these cumin-scented carrots. And it uses pantry staples: carrots, cumin, orange juice and zest, butter, chives, and salt and pepper.
This carrot side dish calls for ingredients you probably already have on hand, comes together in 10 minutes, requires minimal cleanup, and may even lower your husband’s cholesterol. If you prefer a slightly sweeter but equally quick and easy carrot side, give these candied carrots a whirl.–Renee Schettler Rossi
☞ Contents
Cumin-Scented Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 pounds small carrots peeled
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon grated tangerine or orange zest
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh tangerine or orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- In a covered steamer set over simmering water, cook the carrots until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- In a large sauté pan over medium heat, heat the olive oil until fragrant. Add the cumin and sauté just until fragrant, 30 to 60 seconds. Stir in the tangerine zest and stir, then add the carrots and toss to coat. Add the chives, butter, tangerine juice, salt, and pepper and toss again to coat. Serve immediately. (Yes, it's that simple.)
Show Nutrition
If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We’d love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Recipe Testers’ Reviews
I had always been indifferent about carrots, and then this recipe came along. Not only do I love these carrots with cumin and citrus, but I can unequivocally call this recipe one of my favorite side dishes. The amounts of ingredients were just right: just enough oil, fat, and juice to help the tangerine zest cling to each carrot. Every bite is sweet, and the aroma is addictive—the tangerine so fresh, the cumin almost otherworldly. The recipe is quite easy; you can make it with your eyes closed from the second time on—always a plus.
It’s easy to get stuck in vegetable ruts‚ cooking them the same way every time because you know the results you’ll get. I always roast carrots with olive oil and garlic. Now, I can see that they deserve better. The cumin and tangerine combination is fabulous, and the butter adds richness. Easy and delicious.
The name is a little cumbersome, but descriptive. I thought that the cumin would be too much, and while I’d probably reduce the amount a little, it was almost perfect. This is one of those combinations that just works. The tangerine accentuates the sweetness of the carrots and the cumin helps pull out the vegetal notes. I don’t think 5 minutes of steaming was quite enough, as I’m not sure I really want my carrots that crisp. At 10 minutes, mine were still far from overcooked and about what I thought to be perfect for this recipe. I’ll probably play with proportions in the future, but this was a great little recipe.
This side dish couldn’t be easier. There’s nothing in this lovely combination of flavors that I couldn’t have thought to combine, I just didn’t. It was ready in barely more than the 4 minutes it took to steam the carrots. We liked it both hot and at room temperature.
Steamed and then coated in a fragrant blend of tangerine, butter, and cumin, these carrots make a wonderful side dish. They’re easy to prepare, delicious, and beautiful on the plate. These would be a perfect addition to a winter holiday meal.
Just when I thought I’d seen the last of the carrot recipes! We love carrots, and this dish was fast and delicious. The scent of the cumin, tangerine zest, and chives was lovely and the combination made a wonderful glaze for the carrots. I did add 1 teaspoon of honey to the glaze, because we like things sweet. I’ll be keeping this in my vegetable file.
Originally published April 23, 2018
HUNGRY FOR MORE?
If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We'd love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Julie Dreyfoos
Quick, easy, and full of flavor! I didn’t have baby carrots, but I did have some fresh organic carrots from the market, so after cleaning and paring them I cut them into little knobs. This is an easy recipe to halve or double for as many guests as needed. A great do-ahead tip is to steam your carrots in advance, then sauté them in the cumin-butter mixture right before serving.