Scrub carrots just before cooking, and peel if desired. To preserve their natural sugars and sweet flavor, cook carrots in as little liquid as possible. Steaming and baking both help seal in the flavor. For a vegetable roast, cut carrots on the diagonal, combine with diced turnips, potatoes, and onions, toss with olive oil and rosemary, and bake at 400F (200C) until tender.