Roasted Carrot Salmorejo

Instructions

ROAST THE CARROTS:
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F (fan 190°C / 375°F).
2. Peel the carrots using a vegetable peeler, making long, wide strips. Reserve all peelings for the crispy carrot skins. Cut the peeled carrots into roughly 2.5cm (1-inch) chunks.
3. Toss the carrot chunks and the whole unpeeled garlic clove with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and a generous pinch of salt on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Roast for 35–40 minutes, turning once halfway through, until the carrots are deeply caramelized and completely tender — a fork should slide in without resistance. The deep caramelization is critical; it provides the natural sweetness and roasted depth that replaces the ripe tomatoes in traditional salmorejo.
5. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Squeeze the roasted garlic from its skin.

MAKE THE CRISPY CARROT SKINS:
6. While the carrots roast, prepare the carrot skins. Pat the reserved peelings dry with kitchen paper.
7. Toss the peelings with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt. Spread in a single layer on a separate parchment-lined baking sheet — do not overlap them.
8. Bake alongside or after the carrots at 180°C / 350°F for 12–18 minutes, checking frequently. They should curl, darken slightly, and become crisp and brittle. They go from perfect to burnt very quickly, so watch them closely from the 10-minute mark.
9. Remove and let cool completely on the tray. They will crisp further as they cool. Set aside.

PREPARE THE CUMIN SEED OIL:
10. Combine the cumin seeds and neutral oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
11. Warm gently until the seeds begin to sizzle and become fragrant, about 3–4 minutes. Do not let them darken beyond a light golden brown, or the oil will taste bitter.
12. Remove from heat immediately and add a pinch of salt. Allow to cool completely in the pan. The oil will continue to infuse as it cools, deepening in flavor and turning a warm amber. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve or leave the seeds in for a more rustic presentation.

COOK THE PARSNIP FONDANT:
13. Peel the parsnips and cut into neat 2.5cm (1-inch) cubes. Aim for uniform size so they cook evenly. Trim any woody core from larger parsnips.
14. Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Add the parsnip cubes in a single layer and sear without moving for 2–3 minutes until a golden crust develops on the bottom.
15. Flip the cubes and sear the opposite side for another 2 minutes.
16. Add the vegetable stock, thyme sprigs, and crushed garlic. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 12–15 minutes until the parsnips are completely tender through the center when tested with a knife. The stock should be almost entirely absorbed or evaporated.
17. Remove the lid for the final 2–3 minutes to allow any remaining liquid to reduce and the parsnips to develop a glossy, caramelized finish. Season with salt and pepper. Discard the thyme sprigs and garlic.

MAKE THE CORIANDER AND PUMPKIN SEED PESTO:
18. Toast the pumpkin seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until they begin to pop and turn golden, about 3–4 minutes. Let cool briefly.
19. Combine the toasted pumpkin seeds, coriander (leaves and tender stems), garlic, lemon juice, salt, and chili flakes (if using) in a food processor or blender.
20. Pulse several times, then drizzle in the olive oil with the motor running until a loose, vibrant green pesto forms. It should be textured — not completely smooth. You want visible flecks of pumpkin seed and herb.
21. Taste and adjust seasoning. The pesto should be bright, herbaceous, and slightly nutty.

BLEND THE ROASTED CARROT SALMOREJO:
22. Tear the bread into small pieces and soak briefly in 2 tablespoons of warm water for 2–3 minutes until soft. Squeeze out excess moisture.
23. Add the roasted carrot chunks, squeezed roasted garlic, soaked bread, sherry vinegar, smoked paprika, and salt to a high-speed blender.
24. Blend on high, drizzling in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil as the motor runs, until the mixture is completely smooth and velvety — this should take 1–2 minutes in a powerful blender.
25. Check the consistency. The salmorejo should be thick — substantially thicker than a soup, more like a creamy purée that holds its shape on a plate when spooned. If too thick, add water or vegetable stock, 1 tablespoon at a time. If too thin, blend in a small additional piece of soaked bread.
26. Taste and adjust: add more sherry vinegar for acidity, salt for depth, or a pinch more paprika for warmth. The purée should have a sweet roasted flavor with a clear vinegar tang that lifts it. That touch of sourness is essential to balance the natural sweetness of the carrots.

PLATE AND SERVE:
27. Spoon a generous pool of carrot salmorejo into the center of each shallow bowl or flat plate, using the back of a spoon to create a smooth, slightly concave surface.
28. Arrange 4–5 parsnip fondant cubes on top of the salmorejo, clustering them slightly off-center.
29. Dot teaspoons of the coriander and pumpkin seed pesto around and between the parsnip cubes.
30. Drizzle the cumin seed oil in a thin stream around the edge of the salmorejo. If using pumpkin seed oil, add a few drops alongside — it emphasizes the color and deepens the autumnal palette.
31. Arrange 3–4 crispy carrot skin shards standing upright or leaning against the parsnips for height and drama.
32. Finish with a few fresh coriander leaves and a scattering of toasted pumpkin seeds, if desired. Serve immediately.