Maple-Candied Carrots & Turnips

A simple Northern Maine-inspired side dish that pairs the earthy flavor of turnips with sweet carrots and the rich caramel notes of Northern Reach Maple Season’s Finest Pure Maple Syrup. Roasting concentrates the vegetables while the maple-butter glaze develops into a glossy, lightly caramelized coating.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 35–45 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into ½-inch slices or batons
• 1 lb turnips, peeled and cut into roughly ¾-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons Northern Reach Maple Season’s Finest Pure Maple Syrup
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish
• Optional: 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Prepare the vegetables. Add the carrots and turnips to a large bowl. Try to keep the pieces relatively uniform so they cook at approximately the same rate.
3. Make the maple glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, melted butter, olive oil, salt, pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and thyme.
4. Coat the vegetables. Pour about two-thirds of the maple mixture over the carrots and turnips and toss until evenly coated. Reserve the remaining glaze for finishing.
5. Roast. Spread the vegetables in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Roast for 25 minutes, then turn the vegetables with a spatula.
6. Glaze and caramelize. Drizzle the reserved maple mixture over the vegetables and return them to the oven for another 10–15 minutes, until fork-tender with browned, caramelized edges.
7. Finish. For a slightly brighter flavor, toss the hot vegetables with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Taste and adjust the salt if necessary.
8. Serve warm, garnished with a few fresh thyme leaves and, for a sweeter presentation, a very light finishing drizzle of Northern Reach Maple syrup.

Why the maple works

Turnips have a slightly peppery, earthy character that benefits particularly well from maple. The Season’s Finest Pure Maple Syrup doesn’t simply make the dish sweeter; as it reduces in the oven, its caramel and cooked-sugar notes combine with the butter and browned vegetables. Carrots reinforce that natural sweetness, while thyme and black pepper keep the finished dish firmly on the savory side.

Northern Reach tip: For a holiday version, add ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts during the final five minutes of roasting. The maple glaze will lightly candy the nuts along with the vegetables.