Carrots – All You Need to Know | Instacart Guide to Fresh Produce

What are carrots?

Carrots are a type of root vegetable, grown all over the world. Carrots come in a variety of colors, including white, red and black, but the most common carrots are a bold shade of orange.

Broadly speaking, there are two families of carrots, “eastern” and “western.” The orange carrot found most readily in grocery stores is the western variety. The western carrot was derived from the eastern carrot, which in turn is a descendant of the original wild carrots grown in Persia. Today, eastern carrots are grown mostly in Asia, the Middle East, and Russia.

Carrots are used in a multitude of cuisines, dishes, and cooking methods. They’re cut into sticks and eaten raw as a crunchy, snack with dips. They’re grated and served in salads, and used as a filling in dumplings. They can be pureed to make soups, roasted and served alongside grilled meats, baked into cakes, and much more.

Where did carrots originate from?

Carrots are believed to have originated from ancient Persia, which included modern-day Iran as well as parts of Afghanistan. Carrots have been cultivated for at least several thousand years in Europe and Central Asia. The carrot was introduced to the American colonies by Europeans in the 1600s.

China produces almost half of all carrots grown worldwide. The United States, Russia, and Uzbekistan are among the next batch of major producers, although these nations’ production lags far behind China’s output.

What is the nutritional value of carrots?/What are the benefits of eating carrots?

The carrot’s signature nutritional benefit is that it provides a large dose of vitamin A, much of which is derived from beta-carotene. Of course, all that vitamin A helps us maintain good eyesight, as you might have been told when you were a child! However, carrots are also valuable as a source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and vitamin B6 content, as well as delivering 7 percent of DV of potassium and manganese.

A 100g portion of carrots contains 41 calories, 9.6g of carbohydrates, a little under a gram of protein, and negligible fat. That 9.6g of carbs include 4.7g of sugars and 2.8g of fiber.

How are carrots grown?

Although carrots are biennial vegetables, they’re usually harvested within their first year of growth. Carrot seeds are planted in the soil in early spring, and can usually be harvested around 70 to 80 days after the seeds are sown. They grow well in damp soil and cool climates, but they benefit from having a lot of sunlight.

When are carrots in season?

Carrots typically have two seasons. They can be harvested in late spring, and again in fall. However, since carrots are easily stored and very durable, they are easy to find all year round.

How to store carrots?

First, remove stems and any leaves before storing carrots. Store carrots in a plastic bag, and place them in the crisper of your refrigerator. A little moisture can help carrots last for longer, so some people wrap them in damp paper towels before storing them in the crisper. However, don’t wash carrots before storing them, as this can encourage mold to form. Carrots can usually keep for around two weeks to a month in the refrigerator if stored correctly. Keep carrots away from fruit, as some fruits can release vapors that change the flavor of the carrot.

How to tell if carrots are bad?

Look out for a number of signs that carrots have gone bad. First, look for dark spots, or signs of visible mold. If either of these is present, throw them away. Carrots should not have a noticeable smell, so dispose of carrots that have a strong scent. If the carrots feel very slimy and seem withered or rotted, definitely toss them out. However, if the carrot feels soft and a little slimy on the surface, they can probably be revived. Soak them in water before cooking, and cook thoroughly.

Signs that carrots are getting old, although not yet bad, include whitening of the skin, or cracks or hairs appearing on the surface of the skin. If you’re in the grocery store and see carrots that match this description, bypass them and look for fresher carrots instead. Don’t panic if the carrots in your refrigerator start to look like this, but do use them quickly before they get any older.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for carrots via Instacart. After adding a product to your cart, use the “Instructions” option to notify your Instacart shopper about any preferences or specific directions on how to choose the best products. Shop for carrots.

What can I substitute for carrots?

What you choose to use as a substitute for carrots will depend on what you’re cooking or preparing. For example, for snacking, vegetables like celery or jicama are a good option. These vegetables can be eaten raw, just like carrots, delivering that crunchy texture and refreshing flavor.

For roasting, braising, or using in soups and stews, try another root vegetable. Parsnips are a great option, with a sweeter, nuttier flavor than carrots but a similar appearance, size, and texture. Turnips and rutabagas are also a pretty good substitute for carrots, certainly in terms of texture, though their flavor is closer to cabbage than to carrot. If you’re looking for a color match, try pumpkin as a stand-in for carrots. Finally, squashes like acorn squash and butternut squash can also step up and replace carrots in many contexts. For making a carrot cake-like dessert without carrots, try shredding zucchini or parsnips in place of the carrots.

Remember that you can use Instacart to share requests and grocery tips with the shopper! Make their job easier by providing precise information so that they know exactly what you’re looking for. Help the shopper tell the difference between farm-fresh carrots and carrots that are starting to turn bad, or let them know what substitutes to pick up in case there are no carrots in the grocery store.

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