Roasted Carrot and Avocado Salad

In 2012, carrots, those little spark plugs in a salad or a stew, were having a moment. Chefs across the country were showcasing handsome, meaty specimens in a rainbow of colors, dressed and garnished without a sliver of meat or fish. Well, maybe a touch of bacon. This salad begins with carrots roasted in a spicy paste. It’s finished with smooth avocado, sprouts, sour cream and pumpkin seeds.

Ingredients

• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red chile flakes
• Salt and ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 pound medium-size carrots peeled
• 1 orange, halved
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 avocado, pitted, peeled and cut in thin wedges
• 1 ½ cups packed radish or other sprouts
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 3 tablespoons roasted hulled pumpkin seeds

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

    364 calories; 28 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 17 grams monounsaturated fat; 4 grams polyunsaturated fat; 26 grams carbohydrates; 9 grams dietary fiber; 11 grams sugars; 6 grams protein; 4 milligrams cholesterol; 107 milligrams sodium

  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
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4 servings

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a small food processor or a mortar, pulse or pound the garlic with the cumin, thyme, chile flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper to make a paste. Add vinegar and 2 tablespoons of the oil, and mix well.
2. Arrange carrots in a roasting pan and spread spice paste on top. Place orange and lemon halves, cut side down, on carrots. Roast until carrots are tender and starting to brown, about 45 minutes.
3. Using tongs, arrange carrots on a serving platter. With a dishtowel to protect your hands, squeeze juice from the roasted orange and lemon halves into a measuring cup. You should have about 1/2 cup juice. Beat in remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle some of this sauce over the carrots.
4. Arrange avocado over carrots, then scatter sprouts on top. Drizzle with reserved sauce, top with dollops of sour cream and a sprinkling of the seeds. Serve.

1 and 1/2 hours