Availability: July-March
Storage tips: Refrigerate in a plastic bag. Carrots store very well in the fridge and should at least a month. If you want to store carrots from a bunch for a while, remove the tops before putting them in a bag. Fall grown storage carrots should last many months in cold storage.
How to eat: Carrots are a wonderfully diverse vegetable. They can be steamed, used in stir-fries, roasted, sliced or grated and used in salads, or eaten raw as snacks. They’re great for kids’ lunches!
How to preserve: Best: Store them in your refrigerator as described above!
Other ways are to ferment them into Ginger Carrots, Curried Carrot Sticks, or with cabbage in a sauerkraut.
You can also blanch and freeze them or can them, too, though they will store in your fridge for many months so I don't particularly recommend that method. Fresh carrots are just so so so good!
3 tablespoons butter
1 bunch carrots, sliced crosswise
¼ cup chicken stock or water
1 tablespoon vinegar (I used apple cider)
1 tsp sugar or maple syrup
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon minced dill
Heat butter in skillet on medium. Add carrots, stock, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Simmer covered until just tender, about 5 minutes. Uncover and turn up the heat to reduce the liquid to a sauce. Add dill and mix. Serve.
1 bunch carrots, cut into 1.5”x .25” x .25” sticks
4 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
1+ tablespoon lemon juice
1+ tablespoon olive oil
Salt, paprika, cayenne powder to taste
Scallions, chopped (optional)
Drop carrots into a pot of boiling water for 10 seconds. Remove to bowl and add the rest of the ingredients. Combine well and serve either room temp or chilled.
1 onion, sliced into thin rounds
3 Tbls butter
1 bunch carrots, sliced into thin rounds
1 quart chicken stock
½ bunch cilantro, coarsely chopped
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Juice of 1 lime
Salt and pepper to taste
In a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add the onion and carrots and sauté until tender, 8-10 min. Add the chicken stock, bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer. Simmer until vegetables are very soft, about 15 min. Add cilantro, cayenne, lime juice and seasoning. Puree, either with a hand-held immersion blender, or by allowing the soup to cool slightly before transferring to a blender or food processor. Serve with a dollop of sour cream in each bowl. Serves 2-4.
2-4 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
1 pound carrots, chopped
1 pound parsnips, peeled and chopped
2-4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
salt and pepper
¼ cup cream or milk
Heat butter in pot on medium. Add onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add carrots and parsnips, broth, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and puree. If too thick, add more broth. Add salt and pepper. Add cream or milk. This soup is also good cold.
Preheat oven to 375. Grease 9x9 baking dish. Combine dry ingredients. Stir in rest of ingredients. Spread mixture in baking dish. Sprinkle more walnuts and coconut on top. Bake 35-40 min.
This is an elegant, light, and sweet side dish to dress up your carrots. Great for a winter party!
4 cups carrots, peeled and chopped
4 tablespoons butter
2 cups onions, minced
2 eggs, separated
salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon ground gloves
Steam carrots until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Cook onion in butter until tender in skillet. Puree carrots and onions together with egg yolks, salt, and cloves until smooth. Beat egg whites to stiff and gently fold into carrot puree. Pour into a buttered baking dish. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20 minutes until puffy.
1 cup minced onion
1/4 cup peeled and minced fresh ginger root
1 stick of butter
6 cups chicken stock
2 pounds of carrots, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 cups cream or half and half or milk
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
salt and pepper to taste
In 4 tablespoons butter, saute onion and ginger root until softened, about 5-10 minutes. Add the carrots and chicken stock. Bring to boil, turn down, and simmer until carrots are very tender, about 1/2 hour. Puree, stir in cream, remaining butter, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Serve hot!
Mix cumin, corriander, 4 TBLS olive oil and honey together. Coat carrots and garlic in this "dressing" and spread on baking sheet. Roast at 400 degrees until tender, approximately 30 minutes. Let cool. Add the carrots, the remaining olive oil and the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and blend until smooth. Check for taste and add anything else if needed. Refrigerate and use as a dip or spread!
Pulse garlic and nuts in a food processor until a coarse paste forms. Add basil, parmesan, and carrot tops; process until well blended. Add olive oil and pulse until combined into desired paste consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
To freeze, pack into ziplock bags as is or into ice cube trays and freeze. The pop the pesto cubes out and store in ziplock bag in freezer.
This recipe is so simple and amazing! It brings out the sweetness in carrots like no other. To mix it up try the sweet and sour variation below that is also soooo good!
Basic Coconut Carrots
3 TBSP coconut oil
1 lb. carrots, sliced thinly and halved or quartered if fat ones
Sour cream
Salt and pepper
Heat oil on medium in heavy bottomed skillet. Add carrots and sauté, stirring frequently for 20 minutes or until very soft. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve immediately with a dollop of sour cream on each portion.
Sweet and Sour Coconut Carrots Variation
3 TBSP coconut oil
1 lb. carrots, sliced thinly and halved or quartered if fat ones
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Sour cream
Salt and pepper
Heat oil on medium in heavy bottomed skillet. Add carrots and sauté, stirring frequently for 20 minutes or until very soft. Season to taste with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and cumin. Serve immediately with a dollop of sour cream on each portion.
Melt butter and pour into crockpot. Add honey, orange zest, and salt. Mix, add carrots, and stir to coat. Cook 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low until desired tenderness.
3 tablespoons oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
several cloves of garlic, minced (optional)
2-4 teaspoons curry powder depending on taste
2 lbs carrots, chopped
3-4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
sour cream
Heat oil in saucepan and add onion. Saute until softened about 10-15 minutes. Add ginger, garlic, and curry powder. Saute about 1 minute. Add carrots and chicken broth. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer, and cook until carrots are tender, about 20-30 minutes. Puree soup and thin with water if necessary. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve hot with a dollop of sour cream in each bowl.
These are a great way to jazz up plain carrot sticks and make them better for you to boot! This recipe is for a pint jar but feel free to make a quart or more of them by multiplying the recipe. By the way, since these are lacto-fermented, you have to make them ahead of time.
Pack your carrot sticks, garlic, ginger, and curry powder into a pint jar. Leave 1 inch of head space clear of ingredients at the top of your jar. Make up a brine of 2 cups water to 1.5 tablespoons of salt. Stir to disolve then pour over your carrot sticks leaving 1 inch of head room from the top. Cap tightly and leave at room temperature for 5-7 days or until desired taste is obtained.*** When you like the taste, refrigerate and enjoy!
***Make sure to check every day as they are fermenting because as the fermentation process progresses there will be pressure building up in the jar that you'll want to release!
Madhur Jaffrey's homemade curry powder
In a small skillet, toast the corriander, cumin, peppercorns, mustard seeds, cloves, and chilies until lighly toasted and smelling really good. Stir the spices to prevent burning. Add fenugreek seeds and turmeric and stir for 10 seconds. Remove spices from skillet to cool. Grind spice mixture in a coffee grinder or mortar and pestel. Viola, your very own curry powder!
This is sooooo good, so easy to make, and goes with everything as a side dish. Must try!
Toss carrots and cilantro. Mix together remaining ingredients and pour this dressing over the carrots. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
In a bowl mix carrots, ginger, salt and cabbage or whey (if using) and pound or massage using clean hands for 5 minutes until you see lots of juices. Pack into a wide-mouth quart jar, leaving more than one inch of head room from the top. Press down with spoon or pounder until you see juices around the top. Put lid on tightly, label, and leave out at room temperature for at least 48 hours up to a week or so.*** Then store in the refrigerator and start eating! These will keep for months in the fridge.
***Make sure to check every day as they are fermenting because as the fermentation process progresses there will be pressure building up in the jar that you'll want to release!
2 Tbls cooking oil
¾ cup onion, chopped
1 lb. carrots, peeled and chopped
½ apple, cored, peeled, and chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ tsp ground cardamom
3-4 cups chicken broth
4 Tbls butter
¾ tsp vanilla extract
Salt to taste
Sour cream or heavy cream (optional)
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. When hot, add the onions and carrots and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring. Add the apple, garlic, and cardamom and cook for 5 more minutes, stirring. Add the broth, bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and cook until carrots are tender, about 15-20 minutes. Stir in butter, vanilla, and salt. Puree with a handheld blender or in a regular blender after cooling slightly. Serve hot with an optional spoonful of cream in each bowl. Serves 2-4.
Mix everything together and pour into bowl to use as dip. Also makes a good (but thick) salad dressing. You can adjust the thickness by how much lemon juice you put in.
Boil carrots until tender. Drain. Puree carrots in food processor until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients. Pulse until combined. Spread mixture into greased custard cups and bake 40 minutes, or until tops are brown and crispy. Serve hot.
Make sure to add enough salt to this soup because that's what makes it sparkle! The tahini is usually unsalted so add accordingly and enjoy this unusual version of classic carrot soup.
2-3 tablespoons oil
1 cup chopped onion
2 pounds carrots, peeled and chopped
6 garlic cloves, peeled
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
4 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons of lemon juice (about 1/2 large lemon)
3 tablespoons plain tahini
Heat oil on medium in pot. Add onions, carrots, spices, and salt. Saute until the veggies begin to soften, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add broth. Bring to boil, turn down and simmer until carrots are very tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. Add lemon juice and tahini. Blend the soup. Check the seasoning and add more salt if needed. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream or creme fraiche.
This recipe was inspired by Maine Maple Sunday! Just when you think winter's candy carrots can't get any sweeter... try this!
cooking oil (I used coconut oil which was delicious! Or try bacon fat... mmmm! Or whatever you have)
carrots, peeled and diced or chopped into small bite size
grated ginger root to taste
maple syrup to taste
salt to taste
Heat oil in heavy bottom skillet until medium hot and add carrots. Saute until beginning to brown and have softened to desired texture, stirring frequently, approx 20 minutes. Add salt and ginger. Saute stirring constantly for 30 seconds. Turn off heat. Add maple syrup and serve hot.
Yum! Use fresh pesto or frozen, doesn't matter. You can make this recipe at almost anytime of year!
Toss carrots with salt, maple syrup and cooking oil and roast at 350 until tender and starting to caramelize. Check every 10 min or so to stir and mix evenly. Drizzle pesto over roasted carrots and serve hot!
This is a very flexible recipe. You can basically add any diced and sauteed veggies to it! But carrots are a perennial favorite at our house so there it is :)
No matter what I put in it, I always get compliments on it, and kids eat it, too!
Saute until tender the veggies in the cooking oil. Add salt, pepper, spices to taste. Remove from heat. Soak breadcrumbs in cream. Add meat, eggs, sauteed veggies, soaked breadcrumbs, and optional fish sauce to large bowl. Combine well with your hands. Form into loaf shape in baking dish (or dishes) and spread ketchup liberally on top. Add a little water on either side of the meatloaf. Bake in oven at 350 for 1.5 hours.
This recipe is flexible in the amounts of each veggie you use so adjust as needed. It also can be adapted to canned tomatoes in the winter. Also the choice of fresh or dried herb can be adjusted according to preference and what you have on hand. Bottom line is that this soup is delicious!
Preheat oven to 400. Toss carrots, onion, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper with enough olive oil to lightly coat. Place on a cookie sheet and roast in the oven until tender and browned, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking and burning. At the same time if using fresh tomatoes, quarter large tomatoes or keep cherries whole and roast in the oven along with the carrot mixture until soft and skins will come off easily.
Let tomatoes cool and slip off skins and discard. Put carrots into pot with tomatoes and enough broth to cover and simmer 10 minutes until carrots are very soft. Puree with immersion blender. Check salt and pepper. Add fresh herb. Top each bowl with greek yogurt. Serve hot!
Carrots, peeled and chopped into small pieces
Beets, peeled and chopped into small pieces
Kohlrabi, peeled and chopped into small pieces (optional)
Olive oil to coat liberally
salt, pepper, and optional herb of choice (we used thyme)
Toss all of the ingredients together and spread onto baking sheet in a more or less single layer. Roast at 400, stirring a couple of times to prevent sticking, until tender and very sweet. Serve hot and leftovers also good reheated with eggs for breakfast! Enjoy!
Preheat oven to 450. Toss carrots with 1 TBLS olive oil, thyme, salt and pepper. Roast carrots for 15 minutes. Toss mushrooms with remaining olive oil. Remove carrots from oven, stir, add mushrooms and roast until everything is tender, about 15 minutes.
Robert says that this recipe for Gingered Carrots is one of his go-to veggie sides.
Toss prepared carrots with the rest of the ingredients. Roast at 400° until tender.
This is a great side dish with a flexible recipe. Use whatever proportions of rutabaga and carrots that you have on hand and it will come out good.
2 lbs rutabaga, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks
2 lbs carrots, peeled and cut into 1 inch chunks
3-6 TBLS butter, to taste
sugar, honey or other sweetener, to taste (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
In a large pot cover rutabaga and carrots with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the vegetables are fork tender. Drain well. Mash by hand or use a food processor to puree. Add butter, sweetener, salt and pepper to taste.
Store in a tightly lidded container in the fridge for a couple days and reheat to serve.
Drizzle veggies with 1 TBLS olive oil and salt on baking sheet and roast at 375 for 1-1.5 hrs or until tender. Meanwhile mix together dressing of 2 TBLS olive oil, mustard, vinegar, honey and cayenne until emulsified. Smash veggies with bottom of skillet and then add dressing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
1-2 onions, peeled and chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
2 lbs carrots, peeled and chopped
chicken broth and/or coconut milk (approx 4-6 cups total)
peanut butter to taste
cayenne pepper or hot sauce to taste
Heat cooking oil in pan and sauté onions until softened, about 10 min, stirring. Add carrots, garlic, and chicken broth and/or coconut milk to cover and simmer until carrots are tender, about 20-30 min. Puree and add the rest of the ingredients. Check for salt and pepper and serve hot.
Toss all ingredients together and let sit at least 15 minutes to meld flavors and draw out juices. Toss again and serve.
Stir garlic into yogurt and let stand. Whisk together olive oil, zest, lemon juice, vinegar, honey, salt, pepper, and coriander. Pour half of dressing over carrots and beets, mix, and let stand 5 min. Spread yogurt on serving platter. Top with carrot/beets, drizzle remaining dressing, and sprinkle with pecans.
