Bring 4 cups salted water and the bay leaves to a boil in a large saucepan over high heat. Add the carrots, return to a boil, then remove from heat. Drain the carrots, rinse them with cold water, and transfer to a serving dish.
Combine the vinegar, oil, garlic, onion, parsley, cilantro, cumin, paprika, ginger, and tomato paste in a food processor or blender and blend. Gently stir the mixture into the carrots.
Season with salt and pepper and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour.