Carrots are root vegetables appreciated for their bright color and sweet flavor. Often eaten raw or cooked, they are an important source of essential nutrients.

The history of the carrot goes back thousands of years. The first cultivated carrots did not necessarily resemble the orange carrots we know today. Originally, wild carrots were purple, white or yellow. Over the centuries, thanks to selective breeding and growth, orange carrots were developed, largely in Europe, notably in the Netherlands in the 17th century.

The carrot has become a popular vegetable in many cultures and cuisines around the world. It is renowned for its richness in vitamin A and beta-carotene, which promote healthy eyes and skin. Carrots are versatile and can be eaten raw, in salads, as dipping sticks or cooked in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews and stir-fries.

Today, carrots are widely grown in many regions, with a variety of shapes, sizes and colors available on the market. They remain a nutritious and delicious food that finds its place in a balanced diet.

Nutritional highlights of carrots

Incorporating carrots into your daily diet can be a delicious way to enjoy their many health benefits.

Choosing and storing carrots

Choosing carrots

When buying fresh carrots, follow these tips to select quality specimens:

1. Smooth texture: Choose carrots with smooth, crack-free skins. Rough or cracked carrots may indicate a loss of freshness.
2. Bright color: Choose carrots with a bright, uniform color. Intense orange carrots are generally the ripest.
3. No stains: Avoid carrots with stains, marks or discolored areas.
4. Fresh leaves: If the leaves are still attached, make sure they're fresh and green. However, most store-bought carrots have no leaves.
5. Size: Medium to large carrots are generally preferred for better texture and versatility.

How to store carrots

To keep carrots fresh and extend their shelf life, follow these storage steps:

1. Refrigerator storage: Place unwashed carrots in a perforated plastic bag or vegetable bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer.
2. Avoid humidity: Do not wash carrots before storing, as humidity can promote spoilage.
3. Remove leaves: If leaves are attached, remove them before storing carrots, as they can draw moisture and nutrients from the roots.
4. Freezing: If you have too many carrots, you can blanch them quickly, cool them and freeze them for later use. Note that texture may be slightly affected after thawing.
5. Quick use: Carrots are best eaten within 1-2 weeks of purchase.

By following these tips, you can extend the shelf life of carrots while maintaining their freshness and quality for your meals.

Tips for preparing carrots

Here are a few tips for preparing carrots before cooking them:

1. Washing: Wash carrots thoroughly under cold running water to remove dirt and residues. You can use a vegetable brush to clean more thoroughly if necessary.
2. Peeling (optional): If the carrots are organic or if you prefer to keep the skin, there's no need to peel them. If you do opt for peeling, use a peeler to remove the thin outer layer.
3. Ends: Cut the ends off the carrots to remove the hard part. If the carrots have tops, remove them too.
4. Cutting: Depending on your recipe, cut carrots into rounds, sticks, julienne strips or any other shape you require.
5. Blanching (optional): To preserve the bright color of the carrots and slightly soften their texture, you can quickly blanch them in boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes, then cool them immediately in iced water.
6. Marinade: If you wish to marinate the carrots, soak them in a marinade of your choice for a few hours to add flavor.
7. Cooking: Carrots can be cooked in a variety of ways, including steaming, boiling, roasting in the oven, stir-frying or adding to simmered dishes.
8. Combine with other ingredients: Carrots can be combined with other vegetables, proteins or grains to create a variety of tasty dishes.
9. Seasoning: Add herbs, spices, olive oil or sauces to enhance the flavor of carrots.
10. Topping: Raw carrots can be used as a topping in salads, wraps or sandwiches.

By following these tips, you can prepare carrots in a way that preserves their freshness, flavor and nutrients while creating delicious, healthy dishes.

Why choose organic carrots?

Opting for organic carrots has many benefits for your health, the environment and the well-being of farmers. Here are just a few reasons to choose organic carrots:

1. Chemical-free: Organic carrots are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers, reducing your exposure to potentially harmful chemical residues.
2. Nutritional quality: Organic farming methods promote healthier, more nutritious soils, resulting in higher levels of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
3. Taste and flavor: Organic carrots often have a stronger taste and richer flavor than conventional ones.
4. Biodiversity and ecosystems: Organic farming encourages biodiversity, avoids intensive monoculture and promotes healthy soils and ecosystems.
5. No GMOs: Organic carrots are grown without the use of genetically modified organisms, ideal if you want to avoid GMOs.
6. Support for farmers: Choosing organic products supports sustainable, environmentally-friendly farming practices, while promoting the well-being of farmers.
7. Water and the environment: Organic methods reduce the use of harmful chemicals that can contaminate soil and water sources.
8. Preserving health: Avoiding residues of pesticides and chemical fertilizers reduces potential health risks.
9. Sustainability: Organic farming practices have a positive long-term impact on the environment and human health.
10. Confidence in traceability: Organic products are subject to strict regulations and traceability controls, offering greater confidence in the provenance and quality of carrots.

By choosing organic carrots, you are contributing to your well-being, the preservation of the environment and a more sustainable food system.

Recipes with carrots