Carrots

What are carrots?

• Carrots are a usually orange root vegetable with long feathery leaves
• Carrots are a member of the parsley family and are related to parsnips and fennel
• They have a crisp texture when fresh

What nutrients do they contain?

• An average portion of cooked carrots contains
  • 266% of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin A which is needed for healthy skin, teeth and bones, and it also helps to promote good vision, especially in low light
  • 5% of your recommended daily allowance of potassium which is important for metabolic reactions and to maintain normal cell function
  • 27 calories and 0.1g of fat

Where and when are they grown?

• Carrots are grown
  • In the UK year round

How are they grown and harvested?

• Seeds are direct drilled in the field between January and May
• Early season carrots are harvested in June and July
• Main season carrots are harvested from August to November
• Late season carrots are covered with straw in the autumn to protect the roots from frost then harvested from December to the following May

How do I ensure my carrots are kept fresh?

• Best kept refrigerated in their packaging

How can I best use and enjoy carrots?

• Carrots are extremely versatile, and can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of dishes
• Carrots make good soups and are often used as a base ingredient for stews, curries, stir-frys and bakes

Did you know?

• In Elizabethan times women used the feathery stalks of carrots to decorate hats, dresses and coats