Roasted Root Vegetables with Manuka Honey

A Delicious Side Dish Using Manuka Honey

Root vegetables are one of those foods that not many people enjoy. Root vegetables are those that are grown underground such as beets, yams, carrots, and turnips. Since these vegetables exist below the soil, they absorb a large amount of nutrients and vitamins that some other vine vegetables do not have. Even though root vegetables may not be the most delicious, they contain a number of healthy attributes that make them beneficial for anyone’s diet.

So, how do you get your family to eat more root vegetables? The answer is in how you prepare or cook them. Root vegetables do have some natural sugar, which makes them great for caramelizing – adding honey to the mix only amplifies the natural sweetness of these vegetables and makes them more like a treat than a mandatory part of the meal. This recipe for roasted root vegetables incorporates Manuka honey which, while adding sweetness, has a number of perceived health benefits of its own.

Ingredients for Roasted Root Vegetables with Manuka Honey:

• 2 cups sweet potatoes (peeled and roughly chopped)
• 3 shallots (halved)
• 1 ½ cups parsnip (coarsely chopped)
• 1 ½ cups turnips (coarsely chopped)
• 1 ½ cups carrots (coarsely chopped)
• ¼ cup Manuka honey
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• ½ tsp. salt
• Cooking spray

Directions for Roasted Root Vegetables with Manuka Honey:

1. In a large bowl, combine sweet potatoes, shallots, parsnip, turnips and carrots.
2. Add Manuka honey and olive oil.
3. Toss vegetables in honey and oil until well coated.
4. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
5. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
6. Transfer vegetable mixture to the baking sheet and arrange in one, even layer.
7. Place the vegetables in the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes stirring every 10 to 15 minutes.
8. Continue cooking until the vegetables are tender and start to brown.
9. Remove vegetables from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
10. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy!

Not only is this recipe simple, it is also delicious and healthy! Roasted root vegetables are get on their own for a meat and carb free meal or they can be paired with a delicious steak or piece of fish fresh off the grill. The sweetness that Manuka honey adds works well with smoky flavors that meat will take on from grilling, either over a coal fire or gas fired grill.

For this recipe, you can use either Manuka honey or Blue Borage honey. If you would like to get your order started, click here.