NYT Cooking: In 2012, carrots, those little spark plugs in a salad or a stew, were having a moment. Chefs across the country were showcasing handsome, meaty specimens in a rainbow of colors, dressed and garnished without a sliver of meat or fish. Well, maybe a touch of bacon. This salad begins with carrots roasted in a spicy paste. It's finished with smooth avocado, sprouts, sour cream and pumpkin seeds.