Carrot Recipes

by POPSUGAR Food 0

You eat carrots regularly — but how much do you know about them? Although they can be grown year-round, all root vegetables thrive during the Winter season, protected from cooler temperatures by the earth. Carrots are known for their vibrant orange color, but there are also purple, red, yellow, and white varieties — mostly grown as novelty crops. The root itself is crunchy and sweet, while the leafy greens tend to be on the bitter side.

To learn more about carrots and discover new dishes, just keep reading.

So how do you choose which carrot is best? The root should be firm, smooth, more or less straight, and bright in color — a deeper orange means that more beta-carotene is present. If the greens are still attached, they should be bold and fresh; avoid any carrots with dry, wilted greens.

Carrots are packed with nutrients, particularly vitamin A, which is notoriously good for vision. The benefits don't stop there, though, because this common root vegetable is also rich in other vitamins and antioxidants. Although carrots can certainly be eaten raw, they can also be cooked in just about any way you can imagine. They can be boiled, steamed, fried, or puréed and added to soups or smoothies. Hoping to add more veggies to your diet? Here are five ways to enjoy carrots.

• For a flavorful soup, blend carrots with potatoes and spices to make a creamy carrot bisque.
• Switch up your standard glazed carrots by adding pomegranate and balsamic.
• Create a rich carrot-ginger salad dressing to double your dose of fresh veggies.
• Try sautéeing carrots with tofu for a healthy vegetarian entrée.
• Not so into the flavor? Juice carrots with apples and spinach to mask their taste.

Source: Flickr User Color Line