Carrots are the boss of this salad. Available year-round, carrots are a salad staple, and their flavor varies depending on the season. Summer carrots are fresh, bright, and grassy. They bridge springtime’s baby carrots, which are more vegetal and earthy, and the fall season’s mature, sugar-packed, and woodier carrots.
Roasting summer carrots coax out their natural sugars, amplifying their sweetness and lemony flavor. Heirloom carrots bring a riot of color to the plate and contribute their subtle flavor nuances, elevating the carrot presence beyond one note. Red carrots are the most similar in flavor to orange carrots, while white carrots are very sweet. Purple carrots are the show-stoppers: They are sweet and slightly peppery, and their purple exterior hides a vibrant orange interior.
