Roasted Vegetables

Time for another Lisa's Soap Box post, where I advocate some type of food. Today's subject: Roasted Vegetables.

My husband adores roasted vegetables, far more than any other cooking method. Any vegetable can be roasted: broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, onions, mushrooms, potatoes, carrots, parsnips, corn, asparagus...I guess leafy greens, like lettuce and spinach probably wouldn't be good roasted. It is super easy to roast veggies, and they take on this beautiful smoky, nutty flavor when done properly. Just cut your veggies into bite-size pieces, season and toss with a little olive oil, spread out on a sheet pan, and put it in the oven. As easy as steamed, and a whole new flavor. Try these ideas:

Roasted Asparagus with Lime
1 bundle fresh asparagus
1 tbsp olive oil
Zest of 1 lime
Salt and Pepper

Wash and trim the bottoms off the asparagus. (To do this, hold up 1 piece, take the ends, and bend until it naturally snaps in half. Either do this with all the pieces, or use one as a guide for where to trim all the other pieces.) Toss with the olive oil, sprinkle the asparagus with the lime zest and the salt and pepper. Roast in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a little crispy.

Roasted Root Vegetables with Honey

3 carrots
3 parsnips
1 onion
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp honey
Salt and Pepper

Peel the carrots and parsnips, then cut on a heavy angle into 2 inch pieces. Peel and slice the onion. Toss with the oil, honey, and liberal seasoning. Spread on a sheet pan and bake in a 375 degree oven for 1 hour.

Roasted Corn Salad
1 bag frozen corn
1 red pepper, seeded and diced fine
1 red onion, diced fine
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley or cilantro (optional)

Put the pepper and the onion with the oil and seasonings on a sheet pan in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes (these need a head start). Then add the corn, mix it well, and return to the oven for another 20 minutes. When it comes out, add the lemon juice and herbs and toss together in a bowl.