Everything You Need to Know About Carrots!

What are Carrots and Their Health Benefits?

Carrots are one of the most popular vegetables and for good reason. They are a superfood that has been around for centuries. Not only are they delicious and versatile, but they also offer a wealth of nutritional benefits. They are packed with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.Carrots are a great source ofvitamin A, vitamin K,and vitamin B6. They are also rich in the beta-carotene antioxidant which helps protect the body from damaging molecules, but also can be used for coloring food! 

We will explore growing carrots, the colorful varieties, and even provide a delicious carrot recipe. So let's get started and explore the wonderful world of carrots!

Carrot Varieties - Which Ones Should You Buy?

There are many different types of carrots available for you to choose from. In addition to traditional orange carrots, there are also purple, black, red, white, and yellow varieties of carrots, as well as baby carrots!

Baby carrots are actually just normal carrots that have been cut and shaved into a convenient snacking size. You can use them for cooking, but we prefer cooking with big carrots and saving the baby ones for snacking! 

Like other purple foods, purple carrots are packed with extra antioxidants. Some varieties of carrots are purple on the outside and orange on the inside. Purple carrots may have a slight peppery taste, and tend to have a much stronger "carrot" flavor. This taste is much more noticeable when eaten raw. Some types of purple carrots are used to make pigments for dying cloth and making paints.

Red carrots are red because of the same antioxidant found in tomatoes. Red carrots taste similar to orange carrots. They are better to eat cooked rather than raw, due to a slightly more woody texture that goes away when cooked.

White and golden carrots have a less earthy taste and can be sweeter than other carrot varieties. They tend to have a more tender texture. These ones are absolutely delicious when roasted or eaten raw! 

Carrot Facts You Might Not Have Heard Before

• April 4th is International Carrot Day!
• Ever notice how carrot leaves look like parsley, or how carrot seeds look and smell like fennel? That’s because they are related! The spicesparsley, cilantro, coriander, fennel, anise, dill, and cumin are all family members of carrots.
• Today's carrots came from ancient wild carrots and were bred to besweeter, less bitter, and less woody. 
• The orange carrot comes from a genetic mutation! In ancient times, most cultivated carrots were purple and white.
• It’s a myth that carrots improve eyesight! Though the nutrients found in carrots have been linked to improving eyesight, eating carrots every day sadly will not give you super-vison. Though they might help with your eyesight if you are deficient in Vitamin A!
• Flowering carrot plants are a favorite of pollinator species.
• From seed to harvest, carrots take about 55-80 days to grow. Try it out yourself with our easy gardening kit!
• If you plant a carrot, let it flower and go to seed, then plant those seeds, so you can keep growing carrots! 
• The Manpukuji is a special variety of carrot that grows incredibly long, easily over two feet when grown in the right conditions. 
  
   (Img: Manpukuji Carrot from Baker Creek Seeds)
  

How to Grow Carrots at Home

Growing carrots at home is a wonderful way to add fresh, healthy vegetables to your diet. Carrots are a great addition to any garden as they are pretty easy to grow and don't need too much water or care. Get ready to reap the rewards of gardening with carrots!

Obtain carrot seeds from your local nursery, or try planting a carrot and letting it flower and go to seed.

To make things even simpler, use our Garden Kit to easily learn how to grow carrots and other vegetables! The kit includes seeds, a mini-greenhouse, an in-depth gardening guide, and more!

Germinate seeds following our Germination Guide. Carrots in particular like a germination temperature no lower than 40°F and no higher than 90°F. They should take between 7 and 21 days to germinate.

After the small sprouts you germinated have grown and are not so delicate anymore, carrot plants are ready to be transferred into the garden. Plant carrots in an area that gets 6-8 hours of sun, and maybe a bit of shade in the afternoon. In the large, deep pots or garden bed that you will be using for growing carrots, till the soil and aerate it so that the carrots can grow long and straight. Transplant carrot plants and plant about 4 inches apart from each other. 

This handy chart comes from the booklet in our Garden Kit!

Harvest can begin a few weeks later when carrots have reached finger size. To check what size your carrots are, gently remove dirt to see how big the carrot root top is. When the carrots have reached a good size, harvest and enjoy!

How to Prepare a Perfectly Roasted Carrot Dish for Any Occasion

Carrots are an incredibly versatile vegetable, and they can be used to create a variety of delicious dishes. Roasting carrots is one of the best ways to bring out their natural sweetness and flavor, making them perfect for any occasion. 

Carrots taste even more amazing when roasted with a variety of flavors! Experiment with flavors to find your perfect personal carrot recipe. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Add chili powder or cayenne powder for spicy carrots.
• Use thyme, oregano, and parmesan for Italian-inspired carrots.
• Drizzle on some balsamic vinegar before serving. 
• Use maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness.
• Garlic and onion are classic flavors that taste great with carrots.

ROASTED CARROTS DIRECTIONS:

1. Pre-heat oven to 400°F
2. Scrub or peel carrots, depending on your preference.
3. Cut carrots into 1.5-inch pieces. Slice the extra large pieces lengthwise. Cut at an angle for a more flattering look. If the carrots are thin enough, you can also choose to cut the tops off and leave them long.
4. Here's where things get fun! In a bowl, toss your carrots with olive oil, salt, pepper, and your seasoning of choice. For a super simple yummy carrot dish, we use garlic powder, thyme, and a bit of maple syrup for a little sticky sweetness. 
5. Spread in a single layer on a covered baking sheet. 
6. Roast at 400°F for 20 minutes. Check with a fork. If the carrots are not fork-tender, adjust the oven temperature to 375°F and roast for another 5-10 minutes. 
7. Enjoy! 

Start Enjoying the Deliciousness of Carrots Today!