Carrots
By Jennifer A. Wickes
Copyright 2004
History / Geography
Afghanistan
Science
Daucus carota (sativa) - parsley family
Season
Carrots are usually a autumn/winter vegetable, but will be seen all year long being they are one of the most popular vegetables!
How to Select
Choose your carrots with green, moist greenery, and firm, smooth carrots. Avoid limp carrots with black or soft spots.
Storage
If storing whole carrots, remove the greenery beforehand, then place in a plastic bag and store in your refrigerator. If you would like to store for longer than two weeks, like this, in the refrigerator, then blanch your carrots first and freeze.
Nutritional Qualities
Carotene, fibre, potassium, pectin and Vitamins A and B.
Trivia
Limp carrots can be revived by placing them in a bowl of iced water.
Wine Pairings
For raw vegetables: Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc.
For carrot soup: Zinfandel.
For carrot cake: Sauternes, Vouvray.
Spices
Allspice, anise seed, cardamom, chives, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, dill, fennel, fines herbes, ginger, mace, marjoram, mint, mustard, nutmeg, parsley, savory, tarragon, thyme, turmeric.
Equivalencies
1 lb. = 3 c. chopped = 2 1/2 c. grated = 2 c. cooked
1 - 2 medium carrots = 1 c. shredded
Serving Size: 1/4 - 1/3 lb. fresh per person; 1/2 lb. cooked per person
Preparation
Blanch / Parboil: Place sliced carrots in cold, salted water and bring to a boil for 2 minutes.
Boiling: Whole Baby / 1/4" slices = cover, boil 5 - 10 minutes. Whole Large Carrots = cover, boil 10 - 20 minutes.
Steaming: Whole Baby = 8 - 12 minutes. Slices = 5 - 10 minutes. Whole Large = 12 - 20 minutes.
Microwave: Sliced = 1 lb. carrots + 2 tbsp. water / broth = 6 - 8 minutes, stand for 1 minute.
Roast: 1" diagonal slices = 325 degrees for 40 - 50 minutes.
Grill: 1" slices in foil = medium heat for 25 - 30 minutes
Stir-Frying: 1/4" slices + 1 tbsp. oil for 1 minutes, then + 2 tbsp. liquid, cover and cook 3 minutes.
Recipes
Carrot Halwa
3 cups grated carrot
1 1/2 cups half-n-half cream
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
10 cashew nuts
15 raisins
10 almonds
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
Fry grated carrot in a nonstick pan for 5 minutes on high heat while stirring constantly. Now add cream, sugar and lower heat to medium and cook until all the liquid is absorbed while stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
By Jennifer A. Wickes
Copyright 2004
History / Geography
Afghanistan
Science
Daucus carota (sativa) - parsley family
Season
Carrots are usually a autumn/winter vegetable, but will be seen all year long being they are one of the most popular vegetables!
How to Select
Choose your carrots with green, moist greenery, and firm, smooth carrots. Avoid limp carrots with black or soft spots.
Storage
If storing whole carrots, remove the greenery beforehand, then place in a plastic bag and store in your refrigerator. If you would like to store for longer than two weeks, like this, in the refrigerator, then blanch your carrots first and freeze.
Nutritional Qualities
Carotene, fibre, potassium, pectin and Vitamins A and B.
Trivia
Limp carrots can be revived by placing them in a bowl of iced water.
Wine Pairings
For raw vegetables: Pinot Grigio, Chenin Blanc.
For carrot soup: Zinfandel.
For carrot cake: Sauternes, Vouvray.
Spices
Allspice, anise seed, cardamom, chives, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, dill, fennel, fines herbes, ginger, mace, marjoram, mint, mustard, nutmeg, parsley, savory, tarragon, thyme, turmeric.
Equivalencies
1 lb. = 3 c. chopped = 2 1/2 c. grated = 2 c. cooked
1 - 2 medium carrots = 1 c. shredded
Serving Size: 1/4 - 1/3 lb. fresh per person; 1/2 lb. cooked per person
Preparation
Blanch / Parboil: Place sliced carrots in cold, salted water and bring to a boil for 2 minutes.
Boiling: Whole Baby / 1/4" slices = cover, boil 5 - 10 minutes. Whole Large Carrots = cover, boil 10 - 20 minutes.
Steaming: Whole Baby = 8 - 12 minutes. Slices = 5 - 10 minutes. Whole Large = 12 - 20 minutes.
Microwave: Sliced = 1 lb. carrots + 2 tbsp. water / broth = 6 - 8 minutes, stand for 1 minute.
Roast: 1" diagonal slices = 325 degrees for 40 - 50 minutes.
Grill: 1" slices in foil = medium heat for 25 - 30 minutes
Stir-Frying: 1/4" slices + 1 tbsp. oil for 1 minutes, then + 2 tbsp. liquid, cover and cook 3 minutes.
Recipes
Carrot Halwa
3 cups grated carrot
1 1/2 cups half-n-half cream
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup sugar
10 cashew nuts
15 raisins
10 almonds
1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
Fry grated carrot in a nonstick pan for 5 minutes on high heat while stirring constantly. Now add cream, sugar and lower heat to medium and cook until all the liquid is absorbed while stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
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