Carrot sticks, carrot snacks and carrot cake -indulge in all things carrot-y on April 4 as it is being celebrated as International Carrot Day.

Celebrated in countries like France, Sweden, Italy, Japan and Russia since 2003, the day is dedicated to spread an awareness on the goodness of the vegetable. A root vegetable, carrot belongs to the family of parsley, fennel and dill. Carrots, originally purple in colour, have almost 100 varieties-big and small.Orange coloured carrots appeared in the 17th century, while purple carrots with orange insides, were sold in British stores in 2002. Since the late `80s, baby carrots became a popular ready-to-eat snack option available in major supermarkets.

PUT CARROTS TO GOOD USE

The nutrition in carrots is tightly enclosed in protein sacs that have to be broken by heat so cooking, grinding or juicing increases the availability of carotenoids by 600 percent. Thus carrots when cooked release more nutrition instead of when eaten raw. Almost 39% of improvement can happen when carrots are pulped and cooked in oil. Other ways of eating them is by steaming or boiling them. Mashed and pureed carrots are given to babies who like it for its sweet flavour. The tiny tots also like to nibble on carrots when they have teeth erupting. The taste stays with them when you make carrot soup which they take a liking to immediately. Cut into juliennes, carrots make a simple pulao or vegetarian noodles look all colourful while also adding to the taste.

Easily the most colourful vegetable on the salad plate, carrots can also be grated and given a tempering of mustard seeds,green chillies and spices. Add some curds for a tangy flavour.Another way to cook them is to just pressure cook, mash them and mix in fresh onions and spices. With a tempering of curry leaves and mustard seeds, this is more like a carrot bharta. The sweetness of carrots allows the vegetable to be used to make carrot cakes and carrot puddings which has its origins as an English dish from the early 19th century.

Gajar kanji made from the deep red carrots is considered to be a health drink. Carrots used to make mixed vegetables or in soups, juice, jams and preserves make for some other popular dishes. If you have pets, remember rabbits and horses love carrots.

Source: Times of India

BDST: 1959 HRS, APR- 04, 2016
Edited by:  Sharmina Islam, Lifestyle Editor