Italian Carrots Food

ITALIAN CARROTS

Steps:

• Clean the carrots and peel the garlic. NOTE: If the carrots are fresh and do not have too many knobby nooks and crannies, I scrub them rather than peel them, preferring to keep the flavor and nutrients of the skin. Just be sure to get off all the dirt, black spots, deep cracks, and both ends.
• Slice the carrots into medallions, on the bias about 1/4" thick. Mince the garlic. Set the vegetables aside.
• In a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, add the fennel seeds to the dry pan. Slide them around gently or stir with a wooden spoon to prevent burning but cook them to brown. You want to smell the faint liquorice aroma of the seeds and see their brown color darken just slightly. At this point, add the butter and oil.
• When the butter melts, add the carrots and garlic, stirring to coat everything in the seeds and liquid. Reduce the heat to medium-low, browning the carrots in the fat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. This should take about 10-12 minutes.
• Sprinkle with the sugar and, once it has coated the carrots, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Remove to a platter and serve.

MARINARA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large casserole pot, heat the oil over a medium-high flame. Add the onions and garlic and saute until the onions are translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the celery, carrots, and 1/2 teaspoon of each salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes and bay leaves, and simmer uncovered over low heat until the sauce thickens, about 1 hour. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Season the sauce with more salt and pepper, to taste. (The sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, then cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat before using.)

ZUCCHINI AND CARROT A SCAPECE

Steps:

• Heat 1/3 cup oil in a heavy large frying pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the zucchini and fry until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried zucchini to a baking dish. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle half of the garlic, basil, and mint leaves over the zucchini.
• Add the remaining oil to the frying pan. Add the carrots to the hot oil and saute until golden, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried carrots to the dish of zucchini. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the remaining garlic, basil, and mint leaves over. Drizzle the vinegar over the vegetable mixture and toss gently to coat. Cool to room temperature. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator overnight. Allow the vegetables to come to room temperature before serving. Transfer the scapece to a platter. Serve with bread, fish or chicken.

ROASTED CARROTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• If the carrots are thick, cut them in half lengthwise; if not, leave whole. Slice the carrots diagonally in 1 1/2-inch-thick slices. (The carrots will shrink while cooking so make the slices big.) Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a sheet pan in 1 layer and roast in the oven for 20 minutes, until browned and tender.
• Toss the carrots with minced dill or parsley, season to taste, and serve.

ITALIAN CARROTS (1940)

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a skillet or large saucepan and cover tightly.
• Cook for about 20 minutes, or until almost tender.
• Remove cover and continue cooking until water evaporates, watching carefully to prevent burning.

ROASTED CARROTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Oil a sheet pan or a baking dish large enough to fit all of the carrots in a single layer. Place the carrots in a large bowl, and toss with the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme and oregano.
• Spread in an even layer in the prepared pan or baking dish. Cover with foil, and place in the oven for 30 minutes. Uncover, and if the carrots are not yet tender, turn the heat down to 375 degrees and return to the oven for 10 to 15 more minutes until tender. Add the parsley, stir gently, and taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

MARINATED CARROTS ANTIPASTO

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and cook carrots until softened slightly yet firm to the bite, 5 to 10 minutes. Make sure not to overcook because they continue cooking even after they have been taken off the stove. Drain and cut into 1-inch long strips.
• Stir together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Add garlic to marinade and mix to combine. Place carrot strips into a container with a tight-fitting lid and pour marinade on top. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.