Roasted maple carrots – infused with rich flavors of balsamic, maple, orange and cinnamon – turns into a non-traditional carrot tzimmes recipe for Jewish holidays.

Different and maybe worth a try for your next holiday meal.

What is Tzimmes? (pronounced tsi-miss)

Tzimmes is a Jewish sweetened vegetable and fruit concoction, typically made with root vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes), honey and prunes or raisins. Sometimes pineapple, dried fruits, apricots, butternut squash, nuts or oranges are used as well.

The word tzimmes mean big fuss. It is often served as a sweet side dish alongside meat on Rosh Hashanah to help usher in a sweet year. And other Jewish holidays too.

Sweet carrots – in fact any sweet foods – are particularly traditional for the Jewish New Year.

This tzimmes recipe is different

There are countless recipes out there for tzimmes, most of them braised on the stove top for about an hour to create a something like a stew. Here’s a more traditional stove-top tzimmes by a well known Jewish cook.

I decided to try a different version with roasted maple carrots and a sweet full-bodied fruity orange-y, cinnamon-y, maple-balsamic glaze. I also wanted to show off the multi-colored carrots I had just bought at a farmer’s market 🙂

Yum! Sort of an upscale simple side dish that makes a great companion for turkey breast, prime rib, brisket, instant pot roast chicken or lamb.

Tailor to your Taste

Here are a few variations and substitutions to try.

Glaze

Consider doubling the glaze/sauce if you want it to soak into the mashed potatoes or quinoa on your plate, for example.
Add a tablespoon of butter to the glaze after it’s thickened to make it even silkier and glossy.

Substitutes

Use dried prunes, cranberries or apricots instead of raisins.
Substitute toasted chopped walnuts or almonds for the pistachios.

Garnish

Squeeze on a splash or two of lemon juice or add a teaspoon of lemon zest before serving to add brightness and balance the sweetness.

How to make roasted maple carrots (a new version of tzimmes)

pile of multi coloured carrots — I like to use multi-colored rainbow carrots

carrots, oranges, cinnamon, maple syrup, cornstarch, oil, butter, raisins, balsamic vinegar — Ingredients: carrots, oranges, cinnamon, maple syrup, cornstarch, oil, butter (optional), raisins, balsamic vinegar

Roasted carrots on pan — Roast carrots on a lined baking sheet until tender.

glaze for Carrot Tzimmes in pot — Make glaze while carrots are roasting with the addition of golden raisins (optional)

Roasted Glazed Carrot Tzimmes on pan — Toss roasted carrots with glaze and roast again for another 10-20 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature and drizzle on an extra tablespoon of maple syrup if you like.

Make Ahead

You can pre-roast the carrots and make the sauce ahead of time. Then finish the glazing and final roasting (last step) before serving; or
Make the entire dish, under-cooking the carrots a bit. Rewarm it in the oven at 350-375F/176-190C for 10 minutes or so. Add garnish.