CARROTS!!

YEP carrots are good for dental health, regularity and eye health. Check out this article for more information regarding our furry friends.

Now for us humans, did you know carrots are made up of 87% water AND they are one of the most sugary vegetables in the world? They are very hydrating, which means that they are an excellent vegetable to consume in the summer. Especially with record high heat we have been seeing all over out country. Although carrots are available throughout the year, locally grown carrots are in season in the summer and fall when they are the freshest and most flavorful.

Health Benefits

Carrots are perhaps best known for their rich supply of the antioxidant nutrient that was actually named for them: beta-carotene. The deeper orange the carrot, the more beta-carotene you’re getting. Among all vegetables, carrots have the largest content of vitamin A (beta-carotene). 100 grams of carrot will give you 104% of the recommended daily dose of that vitamin!

Carrots are high in fiber and vitamins which make them important for  cardiovascular and vision health as well as having  anti-cancer benefits

Carrots have the following nutrients:

• Vitamin A
• Biotin
• Vitamin K
• Dietary fiber
• Molybdenum
• Potassium
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin C
• Manganese
• Niacin
• Vitamin B1
• Pantothenic acid
• Phosphorus
• Folate,
• Copper
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B2

Tips For Eating Carrots

Carrots are delicious eaten raw or cooked. While heating can often damage some of the nutrients in vegetables, the beta-carotene found in carrots has been shown to be heat-stable. In fact, carrots’ beta-carotene may become more bioavailable through well-timed steaming. Still, be careful not to overcook them if you want  to retain their maximum flavor and strong overall nutritional value.

Before eating, make sure to wash carrot roots and gently scrub them.

Recipes 

Carrot-Apple-Ginger Smoothie 

Adapted from here.

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups ice
• 1 cup carrots
• 3/4 cup apples
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

Directions: 

• Place everything in a blender and enjoy!

Roasted Balsamic Beets and Carrots 

Adapted from here.

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups fresh beets, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4-5 medium beets)
• 2 cups fresh carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 2-3 carrots)
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Directions: 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Peel and cut the beets and carrots and place them in a large bowl.
• Drizzle with the olive oil and add the salt, pepper, and thyme. Toss to coat.
• Spread the vegetables on a baking sheet in a single layer.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and begin to wrinkle, tossing once halfway through cooking.
• Place the vegetables back in the bowl, add the vinegar and toss to coat. Serve immediately.