Everything you need to know about carrots! Nutrition facts, storage and recipes for the best way to eat this nutritious orange vegetable.
Carrots are one of the most popular vegetables in the world (really!). And there are many reasons to eat this root vegetable! It’s packed with nutrients, has great flavor, and is bright, vibrant in color. Carrots are great for eating raw or cooked: try them in dips, in soups and stews, and to add crunch to salads. At A Couple Cooks we use a lot of carrots in our recipes! Consider us big fans. Here are the top things you need to know about this super nutritious vegetable.
Carrots: overview and types
Carrots are a root vegetable that come in a variety of colors: orange, purple, yellow, white, and even black. Carrots are in the same family of vegetables as celery, parsley, and dill. (It’s called Apiaceae, for the science nerds among us.) These vegetables are easy to grow at home and, of course, inexpensive and easy to find at the grocery store. Here are the types you can find in stores:
- Large carrots: The draft horse! These come in bags at the grocery store and range in size from small and skinny to very large and thick.
- clusters: You can also find long, thin bunches of carrots sold at the grocery store or local farmer’s market. Because they’re so thin, you can cook them whole when frying or grilling.
- rainbow carrots: Beautiful shades of orange, purple and yellow! These are also often sold in bundles.
- baby carrots: The rounded edge stick shape is cut from a larger carrot! It is a special variety bred to be sweeter and crunchier. This species is meant for snacking, so avoid using it in recipes.
feed carrots
Carrots are one of the best vegetables you can eat! This nutrient-dense vegetable is packed with goodness. Here are some of the key nutritional benefits (source):
- Low in calories, high in fiber: A cup of chopped carrots has only 52 calories and 3.6 grams of fiber. (The source)
- Packed with vitamin A (beta-carotene): This root vegetable provides 428% of your daily vitamin A intake in 1 cup! It is present as beta-carotene, an antioxidant that may help prevent cancer. Your body converts beta-carotene into vitamin A.
- Rich in vitamin C, K and potassium: They are also rich in these vitamins.
- Possible Benefits These include lowering blood cholesterol levels, weight loss and eye health. Learn more here.
Carrot Recipes
Ready to eat ? There are so many delicious ways to eat this healthy vegetable. Here are some of the best carrot recipes to try:
- Carrots are quicker and easier to fry as a side dish.
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This silky smooth sauce works magic.
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Uniquely refreshing, with a spicy dressing that makes it irresistible.
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One of the best ways to get all those nutrients! Or toss a carrot in a blueberry smoothie.
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Cooked tender and crispy, then garnished with fresh herbs and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
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- Bursting with great flavor, sprinkled with ranch spices and baked until lightly crispy!
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How to store carrots
The great thing about these root vegetables: They last a long time! You may find that they stay in your vegetable drawer seemingly indefinitely. This is the best way to store carrots:
- Refrigerate: Store in the food drawer of your refrigerator for 2-3 months.
- Remove green: Green draws moisture from the root. Remove the green veggies and store separately: they’ll get better in a few days. (How do you cook carrot tops? Try them in an omelet like this, or substitute pesto basil for them.)
Tastier vegetables
Do you like to eat your vegetables? There are so many ways to eat lots of vegetables. Here are some other recipes and resources to browse:
