Carrots are one of the healthiest vegetables that grow in our latitudes. Their vitamin A content is very valuable to us. The root vegetable also contains potassium, iron, and manganese, and their carbohydrate content gives them a slightly sweet taste. But how can I prepare carrots? How do the vitamins remain intact? We have the best tips here:
Preserving carrot vitamins
To preserve the vitamins in carrots, the carrots should not swim in the cooking water. To keep them healthy, you should use only a little water or, even better, fat such as butter or oil. To ensure that vitamin A can actually be absorbed, a drop of oil should always be added.
Now it just depends on how you prefer your carrots. Some like them crunchy, in which case a short cooking time is sufficient. You can always test the vegetables by piercing them with a fork.
Storing carrots
Carrots can be stored very well. Ideally in cool places, 1-5 degrees Celsius is perfect, with high humidity of about 80 to 95%. Carrots last longest when layered in boxes with sand. To do this, layer carrots and sand alternately. Finally, spray the last box with water – but do not make it too wet. The moisture and cold keep the carrots for a longer time. Only use flawless vegetables for storage, otherwise they will rot faster.
Extra tip: Do not clean the carrots immediately; the adhering soil prevents them from drying out.
Can I freeze carrots?
Of course, you can freeze carrots, which makes them last for a longer time. To do this, cut the carrots into small pieces and blanch them; this can kill any harmful bacteria that may be present.
What can I use carrots for?
Carrots are versatile in the kitchen. A classic is the carrot in soup. But they also taste excellent in salads, as raw vegetables, as a cooked side dish, or in casseroles. And carrots are also popular in baking: a carrot cake tastes wonderfully moist and makes snacking on cake a little more nutritious.
Do I have to peel carrots?
You should not peel carrots, as important nutrients are located right under the skin. It is best to buy organic carrots so you don't have to worry about pesticide residues and can simply clean the carrot with a brush and clear water.
Improving the taste
Here are a few ideas on how to further enhance the taste of carrots:
- Carrots get a wonderful taste if you add a splash of apple juice to the cooking water.
- Furthermore, caramelized sugar is also a flavor enhancer. Add a pinch of sugar to the carrots for this.
- You get the sweet taste through fat (e.g., butter), and vitamin A (carotene) is also better preserved.
Read also: Remove carrot stains
Photo by Sabine, meinhaushalt.at
