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Try this easy-to-prepare Carrot and California Grape Side Dish with its unique combination of sweet, nutty, and crunchy elements in every bite! Made of roasted carrots and California grapes, complemented with a nut-sesame topping infused with warm spices.
Table of Contents
- Carrot California Grape Side Dish: A Unique Twist on Roasted Vegetables
- Carrot and California Grape Side Dish Ingredients
- Possible Substitutions and Add-ons
- How to Make Carrot and California Grape Side Dish
- Pro Recipe Tips
- What to Serve with Carrot and California Grape Side Dish?
- Storing Instructions
- Carrot Grape Side Dish Recipe
Carrot California Grape Side Dish: A Unique Twist on Roasted Vegetables
Carrot and grapes may seem like an unusual combination, but you will be pleasantly surprised by how well their textures and flavors work together in this dish! Roasting the carrots brings out their natural sweetness while providing a satisfying texture that pairs beautifully with the juicy burst of whole red California grapes.
Grapes from California make this dish more exciting and elevated! Roasting them alongside the carrots allows their sugars to intensify, resulting in a sweet, jammy flavor that contrasts perfectly with the savory carrots. This creates a delightful balance of flavors that keeps the dish interesting with every bite.
Happy, healthy grapes from California do not only add flavor and texture but also a pop of color plus beneficial antioxidants and other polyphenols too. If you have never tried roasted grapes before, now is the time!
Carrot and California Grape Side Dish Ingredients
California Grapes are a healthy, anytime snack, bursting with flavor and juicy goodness. In this recipe, you’ll get to experience them differently because they are roasted, which gives them a sweeter flavor and jammy form.
Possible Substitutions and Add-ons
- You can also try other nuts and seeds like almonds, cashews, poppy seeds, and sunflower seeds.
- Other spices that you can try are smoked paprika, chili powder, ground fennel, ground cardamom, or lemon zest to give the topping more variation of taste.
- Fresh herbs can add a bright, fresh contrast to the richness of the roasted vegetables and spices. Parsley and cilantro bring a grassy, vibrant flavor, while mint adds a cooling, refreshing note.
- For a creamy and tangy element, add some crumbled tofu feta cheese or other vegan cheese. It adds a rich, savory balance to the sweet and roasted flavors.
- Adding a base of cooked quinoa or couscous can turn this side dish into a more substantial meal. Both grains absorb the roasted flavors and add a satisfying texture.
How to Make Carrot and California Grape Side Dish
Step 1: Slice the carrots into about ¼-inch thick rounds. Place them on the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes in a preheated oven.
Step 2: After 20 minutes, add the California red grapes to the carrots, and drizzle the oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly coat with the oil and seasoning. Roast for 20 to 25 minutes or until the carrots are roasted, slightly charred, and fork-tender.
Step 3: Lightly toast the nuts in a heated pan, add the sesame seeds, and continue to toast them. Once the nuts and sesame seeds are lightly toasted, turn off the heat. Add the cumin powder, coriander powder,
Step 4: Add the panko, and salt. Mix for 20 seconds, and then transfer the mixture to a bowl. Sprinkle half of the nut mixture on top of the roasted carrot and grape. Set the other half of the nut and spices mixture on the side.
Pro Recipe Tips
- Cut carrots uniformly. Slice them into uniform ¼-inch rounds. If you prefer a rustic look, you can slice them at an angle (diagonally), which also increases surface area for better caramelization.
- Don’t overcrowd. Spread the carrots and California grapes in a single layer to allow proper roasting and caramelization.
- Watch the topping. Be sure not to burn the nuts and sesame seeds while toasting, as they can brown quickly.
- Toss the California grapes with olive oil. This prevents them from becoming too shriveled and keeps them juicy while roasting.
- Recrisp the topping. If the nut topping has softened, you can quickly re-toast it in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes to restore its crunch before adding it to the reheated carrots and California grapes.
What to Serve with Carrot and California Grape Side Dish?
The sweet, savory, and crunchy flavors of the carrot and grape side dish pair beautifully with a variety of mains and other sides. You can serve it warm or cold.
- Serve on the side of savory grilled or fried dishes like Grilled Tofu Steak, Potato Latkes, Tofu Fried Chicken, and Pan-fried Garlic Tofu.
- They are also perfect with creamy pastas like Vegan Pasta Primavera, Spicy Tomato Basil Pasta, and Creamy Curry Pasta.
- Carrot Grape side dish is also great with hearty casseroles like Vegan Cauliflower Casserole and Vegan Enchilada Casserole.
Storing Instructions
The dish will stay fresh for up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. Store the nut and spice topping separately to maintain its crunchy texture.
Carrot Grape Side Dish
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 3 cups red California grapes whole
- ½ cup pecans or walnuts crushed
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 2 tablespoons panko-style bread crumbs
- ½ teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. and line a large baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat. Set aside.
- Slice the carrots into about ¼-inch thick rounds. Place them on the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, add the grapes to the carrots, and drizzle the oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly coat with the oil and seasoning.
- Roast for 20 to 25 minutes or until the carrots are roasted, slightly charred, and fork-tender.
- Heat a pan over medium heat. Add the nuts and lightly toast, add the sesame seeds, and continue to toast them. Once the nuts and sesame seeds are lightly toasted, turn off the heat. Add the cumin powder, coriander powder, panko, and salt. Mix for 20 seconds and then transfer the mixture to a bowl.
- Once the carrots and grapes are ready remove them from the oven. Transfer them to a serving plate and sprinkle half of the nut mixture. Set the other half of the nut and spices mixture on the side.
- Serve hot or cold.
Notes
- Cut carrots uniformly. Slice them into uniform ¼-inch rounds. If you prefer a rustic look, you can slice them at an angle (diagonally), which also increases surface area for better caramelization.
- Don’t overcrowd. Spread the carrots and California grapes in a single layer to allow proper roasting and caramelization.
- Watch the topping. Be sure not to burn the nuts and sesame seeds while toasting, as they can brown quickly.
- Toss the California grapes with olive oil. This prevents them from becoming too shriveled and keeps them juicy while roasting.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
