They are being beaten to the post by the tomato in the hearts of consumers. However, carrots take their second place among the most consumed “vegetables” with pride. In fact, we consume around nine kilos per year according to INSEE and one in five vegetables purchased is a carrot! Do you think this craze is only linked to its unique sweet taste or do all the myths surrounding them play a role? Often, they are said to make you lovable and give you rosy buttocks. Of course, for these assertions, nothing is less certain! However, their richness in vitamin A makes them valuable allies for our eyes and particularly the retina. This same vitamin takes care of the skin by delaying its aging and helping it heal. Antioxidants, they keep diseases at bay and take care of bones and our liver.
It’s a joy to see them on our stalls with their beautiful colors and to test different varieties. Be careful, to choose the tastiest ones, you don’t need to look for the biggest ones. In fact, we prefer them small and firm to have a more concentrated taste. That said, the problem is that once at home, they will tend to quickly soften, wilt and change color even if they are kept in the refrigerator. Mold spots quickly appear. As a result, they quickly lose all their flavor or simply end up in the trash!
How to store your carrots for weeks, even months?
The best technique will only suit you if you have a cellar. In fact, it is simply a matter of fill a crate with sand. Then, bury your carrots well there and slide everything into your cellar for a storage in the shade and cool. With this method, you put all the chances on your side to keep them in the best conditions for a very long time.
What if we don’t have a cellar for optimal conservation of carrots?
To keep your carrots longer, start by place them in the refrigerator in the vegetable drawer where they will stay fresh for two to four weeks. Before that, remove the tops if they have anybecause they risk absorbing moisture from the roots, which would then accelerate their dehydration. To prevent them from getting soggy, the best trick is to wrap these orange vegetables in a damp cloth or moistened paper towelswhich keeps them well hydrated without causing mold. Then place them preferably in a perforated plastic bag or an airtight box.
For longer storage, you can also directly immerse them in water. Peel them, cut them if necessary, then place them in a jar or container filled with cold water that you change every two to three days. This method makes it possible to keep them crunchy for several more weeks. Just make sure the container is well closed to avoid any absorption of refrigerator odors. Notice to amateurs, this method also works to properly preserve lemons!
Attention, these tips do not apply to early carrots !
It is often found from May to July and can be recognized by its small size. However, these vegetables can be more fragile and should never be left in the open air. Prefer to put them in the refrigerator and consume them quickly so as not to give them the chance to spoil.