Ingredients

  • 10 medium beets (red and golden), cleaned, trimmed
  • 5 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2/3 cup water
  • 6 medium carrots with green tops
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin seeds
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup fresh Italian parsley leaves
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots (about 1 large)
  • 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice, divided
  • 6 purchased flatbreads

Method

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Place beets in roasting pan; drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt; toss. Add 2/3 cup water to pan; arrange golden beets on 1 side of pan and red beets on other side. Cover with foil. Roast until tender, about 45 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, trim green tops from carrots to 1 inch. Peel carrots and cut into thirds crosswise, then quarter lengthwise. Place carrots on rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with thyme, salt, and pepper; toss to coat. Roast until carrots are tender and beginning to brown, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. Cool carrots and beets.
  • Using fingers, rub peel off beets. Cut each beet into 6 wedges. Place golden beets in medium bowl and red beets in another medium bowl.
  • Stir cumin seeds in dry skillet over medium heat until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Transfer 3/4 teaspoon cumin seeds to mortar or spice mill; grind finely. Place whole cumin seeds, ground cumin, and vinegar in small bowl; whisk in 1/2 cup oil. Season vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
  • Beets, carrots, and vinaigrette can be made 1 day ahead. Cover separately; chill. Bring all to room temperature and rewhisk vinaigrette before continuing.
  • Add parsley, shallots, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, carrots, and 2/3 of cumin vinaigrette to bowl with golden beets; toss to blend. Add remaining vinaigrette and 2 teaspoons lemon juice to bowl with red beets; toss to blend. Season both beet mixtures with salt and pepper.
  • Place generous dollop of
  • and 1 flatbread on each of 6 plates. Spoon golden beet-carrot mixture alongside. Tuck red beets into golden beet mixture and serve.