FOOD NEWS
The Underrated Part Of Your Oven That's Perfect For Roasting Vegetables
By Betsy Parks
Even though roasting veggies is easy, there are a few points to keep in mind, like roasting at the right temperature and ensuring the oven is hot when the pan goes in. Most recipes recommend roasting vegetables at around 425 degrees Fahrenheit, and using this part of your oven can help you caramelize your veggies while cooking them all the way through.
To roast vegetables like the pros, Food & Wine suggests placing your sheet pan on the bottom of your oven — not the bottom rack, but the actual floor of the oven. "The oven floor provides the hottest, most even, and direct heat possible, which means you can get your vegetables nice and caramelized without overcooking them," says food writer Carolynn Carreño.
When set on "bake," the heat from the oven floor will sear the vegetables, roasting and caramelizing the edges in less time. Excess parchment paper near the heating element can catch on fire, so be sure to set a timer, check on your veggies, and use a silicone mat or trimmed foil to ensure nothing is burning.