Carrot Season

Carrot Season

Carrots - do you know the different varieties? Yes, there are two types of carrots that don't differ much from each other. They belong to root vegetables. Baby carrots are rounded at the end. Regular carrots are longer and tapered to a point. Most people perceive carrots as ordinary vegetables. With their vitamin content and ease of processing, they surpass any more exotic vegetable or fruit.

Carrots are easy to grow. Nice specimens can be grown even by beginner gardeners. They are annual to biennial vegetables. Carrots and baby carrots can be sown in spring or in autumn and harvested the following year. However, if we forget to harvest the carrots and they survive on the bed until the next spring, they will flower and produce seeds. These roots no longer have good quality for consumption.

Carrots originally come from southern Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan. In the 10th century they spread to Europe. They hold second place in the ranking of cultivated vegetables. Cabbage holds first place.

Carrots are of course best when fresh. You can make carrot juice from carrots. It will strengthen your organism and lift your mood.

How to Store Carrots

How to best store carrots. If you have a cellar, then you have ideal conditions. Thoroughly clean the cellar before storing vegetables and whitewash it with lime. Walls and ceilings. Get rid of all old and damp items. So that molds don't transfer to the vegetables. Harvest carrots from the beds gradually, the last ones before the morning frosts begin.

Short-term, you can store washed carrots in the refrigerator. Long-term, store them in the cellar by laying them on top of each other in layers, which you sprinkle with sand. To have exemplary carrots that will store well, follow these principles:

• water carrots regularly, if you let them dry out and water only occasionally, they will crack
• thin out carrots in time
• if you sow carrots among stones or in compacted, unloosenend soil, the root will branch
• short carrots will grow in clay soil

Folk Medicine

In folk medicine, carrots were used as a diuretic and mild laxative. Their consumption is recommended after antibiotic treatment. They quickly replenish intestinal microflora. Grated, you can use them for compresses on burns and skin inflammations. They are suitable for liver diets, anemia and weakening of the organism.

Carrot Recipes

Carrot Salad with Lemon

Grate carrots on a fine grater, drizzle with lemon and serve. You can sweeten and add a spoonful of water. Or also pineapple pieces or pineapple juice. Try adding fresh coconut. For children the most ideal combination - with grated apple.

Savoury Carrot Salad

Try mixing grated carrots with finely chopped chives, horseradish and onion. Serve this spicy mixture with grilled meat, for example. You can try a similar version by shredding white cabbage, adding horseradish, carrots cut into thin strips, caraway seeds and chilli pepper, and pouring over a brine made from vinegar, water, salt and sugar. Weigh it down and leave it in the fridge for a day or two to mature. It's up to you how long you can resist tasting and eating this salad.

Carrots as a Flavour for Sauces

Try cooking more sauces during the winter months. Carrots and other types of root vegetables are the basis of sirloin sauce. Try beef cooked with root vegetables and mushrooms in quality red wine. Excellent. If you often cook chicken paprikash, try using carrots as a base, which you purée before adding the cream.

Children love soups. Treat them to carrot soup, either with vegetables diced or blended until creamy. For the men, add ginger to the carrot soup. It provides a spicy kick.

Braised Carrots with a Twist

With ginger - as a side dish for meat - spicy for adults. Sauté grated carrots with bacon and onion until soft. We can add a sprig of lovage, grated ginger and salt. Add a little water and braise until tender. Finally, drizzle with vinegar or lemon juice.

With coconut milk - sauté carrots with onion and peanuts (or sunflower seeds), adding a clove of garlic at the end so it doesn't become bitter during frying. Pour over coconut milk and cook through. Season with ginger, chilli, or simply salt.

Vitamins

Carrots are tasty and healthy. They contain large amounts of provitamin A. Due to their valuable properties, they are recommended as the first food for the smallest children. They are suitable for various diets in both raw and braised form. They are rich in fibre and antioxidants. Due to their higher sugar content, they are not suitable in large quantities for diabetic diets.

Remember your childhood and enrich your menu with this wonderful and, it must be said, inexpensive delicacy. Try carrots with the exotic flavours of coconut milk. Your children will be delighted. And you'll gradually use up your harvest and get the necessary vitamins into your system every day.

Did you like these carrot recipes? Share with your friends on Facebook!

Author: Hana Michalíková