Roasted Carrots in Bacon

[Preparation and cooling time: 45 minutes

Serves 4 – 6 (depending on portion size)]

12 whole carrots, scrubbed or peeled

1 – 2 tablespoons olive oil

12 pieces of bacon

4 tablespoons honey

4 tablespoons maple syrup (optional)

Salt and pepper

Heat the oven to 425º. Smooth the olive oil on a baking sheet. Scrub or peel the carrots (depending if they are garden picked or store bought). Wrap each carrot in a piece of bacon and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle the honey and maple syrup over all the carrots. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (I like a touch of cayenne). Roast in the oven for about 20 minutes – turn the wrapped carrots over and bake for another 20 minutes. (If using baby carrots and chopped bacon – roast for 20 minutes stir well and roast for another 10 to 15 minutes – smaller pieces of bacon may cook quicker). If you like crispier bacon – leave in for a few minutes more.

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This recipe can be presented two ways. You can leave the scrubbed carrots whole and wrap them in bacon (it looks ever so pretty), or you can slice the carrots in 1 ½ to 2 inch lengths (or baby carrots), coarsely chop the bacon – this is easier when serving a large group. Either way it is yummy. This is an ideal recipe to upscale carrots when fresh and peak quality vegetables are in short supply.

#carrot #bacon