No roast dinner is complete without a goodly pile of roast veggies, right? And there's little more goodly than these maple roasted root vegetables. Bung 'em in the oven, and then in your tummy - you won't be disappointed!
Y'know, I've only just realised that the last time I cooked a roast dinner was for Christmas, and prior to that, Christmas the year before, when I made three stuffed seitan roulades in two weeks, for different branches of the family we were visiting.
Since it's Mother's Day on Sunday here in Britain, and we are being visited by The Progeny, I thought it high time I made another roast dinner. Be rude not to, right? 😉
I don't know about you but roast dinners are one of those meals I hardly ever make but when I do, I always wonder why I don't do them more often. It's not as though they're more effort than any other meal I make.
Anywayyyy...
Making these maple roasted root vegetables is so easy - you don't even need to parboil anything first; just make sure the veggies are all clean, and of roughly the same thickness, massage in a bit of olive oil, salt, and black pepper, spread them out on a baking tray, throw over a few herbs, and chuck in a hot oven for 50 minutes. Take them out 10 mins before they're done, and mix them with some maple syrup, bung 'em back in the oven to caramelise.
Sorted!
Although I have given a list of veggies to use, do feel free to change things according to your own, and your family's, tastes. Not everyone is as enamoured of roast garlic as I am, for example.
Basically, think of this as less a recipe, and more like the Pirates' Code... A set of guidelines!
If you want make your roast dinner even more easy but no less impressive, why not chuck another tray in the oven, filled with button mushrooms and chestnuts, a little olive oil, a bit of balsamic, a few herbs, and a sprinkling of sea salt? I mean, it's a special meal, so why not go a bit overboard? Chestnuts aren't just for Chrimbo! 😉
Maple Roasted Root Vegetables
Are...
- herby
- sticky
- a little sweet
- a little salty
- high in fibre
- full of vitamins
- irresistible
- completely moreish
Whether you make these for Mother's Day (whenever you celebrate it), for Easter (how did it get to almost be Easter already?), or just because you fancy some roasted veg, I just know these are going to be a big hit when you bring them to the table.
Enjoy!
Tell me about your favourite roasted root vegetables!
Maple Roasted Root Vegetables
Ingredients
- 500 g Jerusalem artichokes (aka sunchokes)
- 8 baby parsnips
- 8 baby carrots
- 4 large red onions
- 2 large beetroots
- 2 heads garlic
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary or savory
- small bunch fresh parsely
- a few fresh sage leaves
- 4 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 220ºC (430ºF/gas mark 7).
- Scrub the artichokes, and cut into large bite-sized pieces. No need to peel them.
- Wash the baby parsnips and carrots, and peel and quarter the onions.
- Use a y-peeler to remove the skin from the beetroots, and cut the ends off. Give the beets a rinse, then cut into quarters.
- Remove any excess paper from the garlic but keep the heads whole.
- Place all the veggies into a large mixing bowl, along with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well (I use my hands), ensuring everything is well-coated.
- Tip out onto a large baking tray, strew the herbs over the top, then roast in the centre of the oven for 40 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, and drizzle over the maple syrup. Using a couple of large spoons, toss the veggies and herbs in the maple, and then return to the oven for another 10 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
- Any leftovers can be stored once cool in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. They don't freeze well though.
Notes
- Although I've given a list of vegetables and herbs, feel free to use your own favourites.
- Roasting times are based on my oven, your own may be different, so do check on the veggies to make sure they're not being charred to a crisp!
- 1 cup = US cup = 240 ml
- 1 tablespoon = US/UK = 15 ml
- 1 fl oz = US = 30 ml
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food
Happy Mother's Day to you, Nico! I just adore a sheet of roasted veggies: they're so easy to make! The sunchokes and beetroot make your version positively EXOTIC compared to some of mine! What a gorgeous dish. 🙂
Nico
Thank you Michelle! I adore roast beetroot and sunchokes, and they do make a roast dinner a bit more special, don't they! xx
Eb Gargano
YUM! I do so love roast veggies - and even nicer with maple syrup!! Me being me I'd probably add some mustard into the mix too 😀 I'm a huge mustard fan, but it has to be the Dijon kind - none of your Emglish mustard thank you 😉 Thanks for linking up to #CookBlogShare. Eb x
Nico
Ooh yes, I can see that that would work; I'm not a huge mustard fan but I'd use some wholegrain in this. Yum! xx
Mandy
Oh yes I'm a huge fan of roast dinners too - I've started trying to make them more often as they are one of the rare dishes that my whole family enjoy - perhaps because there's enough different things on the table to keep everyone happy!
Nico
Quite possibly! I always think they're a bit special too - almost an event! xx
Monika Dabrowski
I am a massive fan of roasted root vegetables and yours look truly scrumptious! You've got a good selection there too, lots to choose from (great to see a bit of beetroot in the mix too:), I wouldn't need anything else for dinner:)
Nico
Funny you should say that, Monika, I've been known to just eat a bowlful of these roast veggies... with a bit of maple tahini sauced drizzled over the top! xx
Corina Blum
A big plateful of roasted veggies is amongst my favourite things to eat. I often just have a big pile of veggies like this for lunch so will have to try adding maple syrup next time. I share them with Master Spice and I'm sure he'd love the addition of some maple syrup! Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice!
Nico
The maple really brings out the natural sweetness of the veggies - makes all the difference! xx
Jo Allison / Jo's Kitchen Larder
These look fantastic Nico and you're right about no roast dinner is really complete without roasted veggies! Such a simple classic and I'm almost drooling over my keyboard lol My favourite roast veg of all times must be beetroot, you simply cannot beat it lol 😉
Jerusalem artichokes are definitely very popular in this week's #cookblogshare lol Great minds for sure! 🙂 xx
Nico
They're a must, aren't they? Roast dinners without a huge pile of roasted veggies are just a bit sad, IMO! LOL! xx