How To Cook Carrots
Instructions
Step 1: Select the Best Carrots
Purchasing and selection of the best carrots is critical to the final taste of your recipe. Therefore this guide gives you the information you will need on techniques to adopt to purchase the best fresh carrots. You can also purchase carrots either frozen or canned, but this guide focuses on purchasing fresh carrots.
Carrots should be firm and smooth and without any splits or cracks.8 98
Preferably select carrots with the greens still attached, as these tend to keep longer and taste fresher. If the carrots have greens attached, make sure the leaves are bright, feathered, and not wilted.10 8
Choose carrots that are brightest in color. The deeper the orange, the more beta-carotene is present in the carrot.
Often, carrots that are larger around will have a sweeter flavor.
Avoid purchasing carrots that are soft or have begun to wither.
Avoid purchasing carrots which appear to have sunburned green areas at the top.
Step 2: Prepare the Carrots
Required ingredients
Carrots
Required equipment
Vegetable Brush
Vegetable peeler, optional for organic carrots8. With the peeling technique you will lose some of the minerals.
Knife
Preparation Method
Immediately trim the leafy tops of the carrots down to within one inch. Leaving the tops on will cause the carrots to go limp and lose some of their nutrients very quickly.9
With their tops cut, carrots can be stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Wash in cold water and gently scrub with a vegetable brush.
You do not have to peel the carrots. However, peel them if they are not organically grown.8
Carrots can be left whole, cut into long strips, or sliced into disks. Choose the best option for your needs.
If your carrots appear limp or dehydrated, you can reinvigorate them by placing them in a bowl of ice water for about half an hour.11
Step 3: Cooking Carrots
Roasting Carrots
What You'll Need
12 carrots, cut on the diagonal into 2-inch lengths and halved lengthwise if thick.12
3 tablespoons olive oil
1-1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Rimmed baking sheet
What to Do
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.13
Toss all ingredients on a baking sheet.
Put into the center of the oven.14
Roast until golden brown and tender (about 20 to 35 minutes), stirring occasionally.
Boiling Carrots
What You'll Need
Desired amount of carrots
Water to cover the carrots
Salt
Saucepan
What to Do
Boil salted water in a saucepan.15
Add carrots and cook for 5 to 10 minutes.
Drain and let cool.
Braising Carrots
What You'll Need
2 pounds carrots, sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup water
Skillet
What to Do
Melt butter over medium heat.16
Add carrots and cook for three minutes. Add sugar and cook for one more minute.
Add water and reduce heat to medium-low.
Simmer covered for 10 to 20 minutes.
