In winter, we rely on carrots to enjoy ourselves (and look good)

The carrot: a beauty asset

The carrot makes you lovable, it is well known, but this is not one of its only benefits. Thanks to a good content of vitamins B, C, E, K, and minerals, it is an ally of our immune system. But where the carrot becomes really interesting is for its richness in beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. This powerful antioxidant helps fight against cellular aging, promotes healing, gives a nice tan to the skin and strengthens against UV.
Note that darker carrots are best supplied with vitamins. From a nutritional point of view, it is better to opt for purple carrots than white carrots.
Finally, like many vegetables, it is a food rich in fiber and low in calories, with only 40 kcal per 100 g. It therefore participates in the regulation of transit, while promoting the feeling of satiety.

How to cook carrots?

Flood

To get the most out of carrot nutrients, it is best to eat them raw. Grated, in slices, or in sections in a salad, it adds color and crunch to the plate.
Our tip for those who tend to shy away from grated carrots: mix it with grated apple. This will provide more fiber and vitamins to the salad, as well as a sweet taste.

In cake

Putting carrots in a dessert is a cake! Whether in waffles, pancakes, or a homemade carrot cake, this root vegetable does not alter sweet recipes in any way. On the other hand, it gives them, in addition to a subtle or intense flavor depending on the quantity added, an incomparable softness, and at the same time allows you to do without butter. A big advantage when you want to bake healthier.

In soup

Carrot soup is perfect for warming up and stocking up on nutrients in the middle of winter. Simply cut carrots into chunks and cook them in broth until they are soft. We then serve directly, or we mix everything with the broth until we obtain a smooth consistency.
Finally, don’t hesitate to play with the seasonings to make it more appetizing, with fresh goat’s cheese, cumin, nuts, curry paste, chili pepper, etc.

Roast

Very easy to prepare, roasted carrots are an ideal accompaniment to meat and fish. To give them even more flavor, we brush them with olive oil, or honey and soy sauce before cooking them. Once in the oven, they are tender inside and caramelized on the outside.
You can also decide to roast the carrots, before preparing them in soup. Mixed with vegetable stock, the recipe will be even tastier.

There are many other ways to cook carrots. Steamed, fried, in meatballs, or in puree… Not to mention that its mild, slightly sweet flavor is easy to combine with other winter vegetables, oilseeds or cheese. The carrot, a real Swiss army knife!

What to do with carrot tops?

If you buy carrots in bunches, you are probably wondering how to use the tops. Too often, they end up in the trash, when they could be cooked. The tops are, in fact, full of nutrients, including vitamin B, C, and chlorophyll.
When they are fresh and still very green, they easily decorate a salad, or make a pesto. After a few days, they are better suited to soups, pancakes and cakes. We are therefore thinking of adding this tip to the list of our reflexes for anti-waste cooking.

Discover our selection of recipes for cooking carrots all winter long.