Roasted Vegetables with Herbed Pepita Quinoa Topping
Perfectly roasted root vegetables crowned with a vibrant herbed topping that combines toasted pepitas, quinoa, fresh parsley, and pickled shallots with bright lemon zest. The contrast between tender, caramelized vegetables and the crunchy, acidic topping creates layers of flavor and texture. This versatile side dish works beautifully for weeknight dinners or holiday gatherings, and the make-ahead topping means you can prepare components separately for easy assembly.
Ingredients
- root vegetables for roasting, scrubbed
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
- 2 tablespoons shallot, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest, from about 1 lemon
- ¼ teaspoon MSGsalt1/4 teaspoon to 1/8 teaspoonmsg-free
less umami depth
- ¼ cup pepitas
- 2 tablespoons red quinoa, or millet or sesame seedsmillet1:1grain-free option
different texture but similar pop
- ½ cup parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 425° F and cut vegetables into desired sizes
- 2
Toss vegetables with salt, pepper, and olive oil to coat
- 3
Spread on baking sheet and roast until fork-tender
- 4
Stir together shallot, lemon zest, and MSG to lightly pickle
- 5
Toast pepitas in dry pan until golden, add to shallot mixture
- 6
Toast quinoa in same dry pan until popping, stir into mixture
- 7
Add parsley and olive oil, season to taste with MSG, olive oil, pepper, and lemon juice
- 8
Arrange roasted vegetables on platter and sprinkle with herbed topping
Tips
Roast beets separately or on their own section of the pan to prevent color bleeding onto other vegetables.
Toast the pepitas and quinoa separately in the same dry pan for optimal texture and flavor development.
The herbed topping can be made ahead and stored at room temperature for same-day serving.
Good to Know
Roasted vegetables keep refrigerated up to 4 days. Store topping separately at room temperature up to 24 hours.
Vegetables can be roasted up to 2 days ahead. Topping can be made same day and stored covered.
Serve warm or at room temperature on a large platter for sharing.
Common Mistakes
Don't overcrowd the baking sheet to avoid steaming instead of roasting.
Toast seeds separately to prevent burning and ensure even browning.
Substitutions
Nut-Free Alternatives
General Alternatives
different texture but similar pop
FAQ
Can I use frozen vegetables instead of fresh?
Fresh vegetables work best for proper caramelization. Frozen vegetables release too much moisture and won't develop the same roasted texture.
How long will the herbed topping stay fresh?
The topping maintains optimal crunch for 24 hours at room temperature when stored covered. After that, herbs may wilt.
Can I make this without MSG?
Yes, substitute with additional salt to taste, though you'll lose some umami depth that MSG provides to the pickled shallot mixture.