Roasted Carrots with Carrot-top Pesto & Goat Cheese by Bella of Ful-filled
While browsing the stands at the farmers market, you will be sure to find bundles of carrots with their ferny tops still attached. The delicate greenery dangles from the bright orange roots making for a beautiful freshly-harvested display.
Whenever I bring home a bunch of carrots from the market, my first choice is to roast them. Roasting baby carrots until they’re golden and tender makes for a simple and satisfying side dish. Tossing them first in a blend of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey & flaky sea salt brings out their natural sweetness while they caramelize in the oven.
But before you throw the tops of those carrots into the trash or compost bin, you may be surprised to know that the greens are unexpectedly delicious. Contrary to common belief, carrot tops are in fact edible. Bright and herbaceous, they are a wonderful compliment to the root from which they grow. Making use of the abundance of carrot tops from one bunch may seem like a challenge, but throw in a handful of basil and you get the perfect balance of flavors for a carrot top pesto.
Warm from the oven, the balsamic and honey roasted carrots get topped with the pesto and finished off with crumbled goat cheese. This recipe represents seasonal, no-waste eating at is finest, and proves that carrot tops are meant to be enjoyed. Once you try this recipe, I promise you’ll never look at carrot tops the same again.
Although we’ve come to look forward to visiting Apple Hill each fall to welcome the season, with Aron usually taking a half-day off to ensure we can go midweek and avoid the weekend crowds, I’ve always wished we could have an insider’s guide to the region. Where should we be spending our time? Where should we go to get off the beaten track? And, of course, which donuts are really worth eating?
I’ve started following Heather Palmer’s wonderful blog, Farm Tots, for tips on local, Northern Californian farm-visit experiences for families and knew she would be the one to ask. I’m thrilled that she agreed to share some of her picks for the perfect day at Apple Hill. (I was only a little tempted to keep it to myself.)
GUIDE TO APPLE HILL: 10 Farms to Get Closer to Agriculture
By Heather Palmer of Farm Tots
A day trip to Apple Hill is the quintessential fall experience wrapped up into a plaid flannel, hot cider, hay ride blur of fall colors and crisp country air. Located between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe right off Highway 50, Apple Hill is a easy drive from most points in Northern California. Apple Hill has been beckoning locals for over 50 years and now boasts more than 50 apple farms and growers.
My husband Ben has been visiting Apple Hill since he was just tall enough to cast a line into the fishing pond at High Hill Ranch, and he has been going back year after year since. Because we live a short distance away in the Sierra Foothills, we make many trips up to Apple Hill both during apple harvest and throughout the year. Today, I’m sharing our top 10 farms for getting closer to agriculture and for learning all aspects of the apple production cycle.
