Skip to main content

Natural Awakenings Central New Jersey

Palo-Santo-Candles

Grilled Cumin Carrots with Pecans, Ricotta and Herbs

Jun 30, 2021 09:30AM ● By Genevieve Taylor
Grilled carrots seasoned with cumin and herbs, ricotta cheese and pecans cooked in a cast iron pan over a grill

image courtesy of Genevieve Taylor

Yield: 4 to 6 side-dish servings

1 lb 2 oz bunch of carrots, preferably with the tops on
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp cumin seeds, lightly crushed in a pestle and mortar
1 tsp soft, dark brown sugar
1 tsp dried chili flakes, ideally chipotle chili flakes
1 clove garlic, crushed
1¼ cup ricotta
½ bunch of spring onions (scallions), thinly sliced
½ cup pecans, toasted and chopped
1 small bunch of coriander (cilantro), chopped
Extra-virgin olive oil, to drizzle
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

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

Fill a pan with boiling water and add a little salt, then set over 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, chili flakes and garlic, and stir well to mix. Cover and leave to marinate for a couple of hours at room temperature.

Once ready to cook, fire up the barbecue 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 to 20 minutes, turning regularly, until they are nicely caramelized. If barbecuing, 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 while turning.

Once soft and caramelized, 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.


Recipe from Genevieve Taylor’s book Charred.


More Great Grilling Recipes

image courtesy of Justin Fox Burks

BBQ Brussels Sprouts Sandwiches with Brussels Sprout Slaw

This tasty vegetarian recipe for barbecued Brussels sprouts is the perfect meat-free meal to grill up. Read More » 

 

julia volkPexelscom

The Chubby Vegetarian’s Memphis BBQ Dry Rub

Add flavor and spice to your favorite vegetarian grilling recipes with this mixture for Memphis BBQ Dry Rub. Read More » 

 

In-Print recipes vegetarian National Content Gluten Free July 2021
Tick Talk

Spring officially sprung on March 21. We have turned our clocks ahead. We are looking forward to warm winds, sunny skies and the smell of fresh cut grass. The daffodils and tulips have recently bloomed and we are just starting with the yard work that comes with the warmer weather.  Sadly, another season has started ramping up.  Tick season.

•             The best form of protection is prevention. Educating oneself about tick activity and how our behaviors overlap with tick habitats is the first step.

•             According to the NJ DOH, in 2022 Hunterdon County led the state with a Lyme disease incidence rate of 426 cases per 100,000 people. The fact is ticks spend approximately 90% of their lives not on a host but aggressively searching for one, molting to their next stage or over-wintering. This is why a tick remediation program should be implemented on school grounds where NJ DOH deems high risk for tick exposure and subsequent attachment to human hosts.

•             Governor Murphy has signed a bill that mandates tick education in NJ public schools. See this for the details.  Tick education must now be incorporated into K-12 school curriculum. See link:

https://www.nj.gov/education/broadcasts/2023/sept/27/TicksandTick-BorneIllnessEducation.pdf

•             May is a great month to remind the public that tick activity is in full swing. In New Jersey, there are many tickborne diseases that affect residents, including Anaplasmosis, Babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan, and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsiosis.

•             For years, the focus has mainly been about protecting ourselves from Lyme disease. But other tick-borne diseases are on the rise in Central Jersey. An increase of incidence of Babesia and Anaplasma are sidelining people too. These two pathogens are scary because they effect our blood cells. Babesia affects the red blood cells and Anaplasma effects the white blood cells.

•             Ticks can be infected with more than one pathogen. When you contract Lyme it is possible to contract more than just that one disease. This is called a co-infection. It is super important to pay attention to your symptoms. See link.

https://twp.freehold.nj.us/480/Disease-Co-Infection

A good resource from the State:

https://www.nj.gov/health/cd/topics/tickborne.shtml

 

Upcoming Events Near You
Follow Us On Facebook