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

What are purple carrots?

Before the late 16th century, purple carrots were the most common type of carrot, with varieties of orange and yellow carrots popping up only occasionally. Purple carrots are similar to these varieties, with the only major difference being that purple carrots have even more antioxidants than other carrot varieties.

Popular varieties of purple carrots include:

• Purple Haze
• Cosmic Purple
• Black Nebula
• Purple Dragon

Some varieties have nearly 20% less sugar than traditional orange carrots, making them a great choice for a low-sugar root vegetable. Purple carrots can be used in the same way as orange and yellow carrots and can be eaten raw, cooked, or juiced.

Where did purple carrots originate from?

Although today we primarily know carrots as having a vibrant orange hue, in fact, the original carrots cultivated for food around the 10th century AD were actually purple and white. According to some sources, the orange carrot began to grow in popularity in the Netherlands during the fight for Dutch independence as a tribute to the House of Orange.

Whether or not this is true, the orange carrots that we know today are most likely a breed of yellow carrots, which were a mutation of the purple carrots. The orange carrot likely grew in popularity due to its slightly sweeter taste. Today, purple and red carrots are generally considered to be Eastern varieties, while yellow and orange are more Westernized.

What is the nutritional value of purple carrots?

In general, carrots are an incredibly healthy fresh vegetable low in calories (1 cup is about 52 calories) and packed with:

• Fiber
• Potassium
• Vitamin C
• Manganese
• Vitamin A
• Certain B vitamins

What makes purple carrots so unique is their additional antioxidants that are found in other purple foods and help your body fight oxidative stress. Of course, it’s best to eat carrots raw to get the maximum number of nutrients but even roasted, boiled, or juiced; they’re still incredibly healthy.

How are purple carrots grown?

Purple carrots are grown just like orange carrots. The seeds are planted directly into the soil, as carrot seedlings do not transplant well. But once they’re in the ground with solid roots, the plants are incredibly tough. In fact, heavy frost and cold temperatures can actually make carrots slightly sweeter. This makes it possible to grow purple carrots year-round, so any carrots you find will be in season.

After being sewn, it takes carrots 12 to 16 weeks to be ready to eat.

When are purple carrots in season?

Because purple carrots are incredibly frost tolerant and are grown for their underground roots, they are in season year-round.

What should I look for when buying purple carrots?

When purchasing purple carrots, it’s best to look for those of a deep purple color that are firm all around, without any soft or black spots. The best carrots will have little rootlets at the bottom and be in bunches with their greens still attached. Remember that you don’t need to pick the biggest carrots for the most flavor. In fact, the smaller carrots are typically the sweetest and most flavorsome.

If you are looking to have your groceries delivered, you can easily shop for purple 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 purple carrots.

How to store purple carrots

Purple carrots can be stored the same way as orange carrots. The best way to store carrots is the cut off the tops (as these will pull moisture from the carrots) and fully submerge the carrots in water in a container. Seal the container, and then the carrots can be kept in the fridge for up to a month without losing their firmness or flavor. If the water starts to get cloudy, replace it with fresh water and continue storing the carrots in the fridge.

For long-term storage, purple carrots should have their tops and rootlets removed. They can then be kept for months in a cool dark place in a container packed with sawdust or damp sand. Be sure not to wash the carrots before storage, or you risk inviting in mold.

Purple carrots can be frozen; however, it is best to blanch them first to avoid any enzyme breakdown that could make the carrots go bad in the freezer.

How to tell if purple carrots are bad

You can tell if purple carrots have gone bad by feeling them. Although a soft carrot may not be preferred, it can still be eaten. However, when the carrot starts to feel slimy, it has gone bad, and it’s time to toss it out. Additionally, purple carrots should maintain their deep purple color, but if any black spots appear, they have gone bad and should be discarded.

Should I peel purple carrots before using them?

When it comes to peeling carrots, it’s really up to personal preference. As long as carrots are scrubbed and washed to remove any dirt or bugs, they can then be cooked or eaten raw with or without being peeled.

What can I substitute for purple carrots?

Purple carrots can be substituted with a variety of other root vegetables, including:

• Carrots of any other variety
• Butternut squash
• Beets
• Zucchini

Remember that the best purple carrot replacement will depend on the recipe. If you’re meant to peel the carrots into strips, zucchini is probably your best bet, but if you’re making a hardy stew, then butternut squash will work nicely.

Start cooking with purple carrots

With so many fantastic antioxidants, a gorgeous color, and a fantastic taste, there’s no reason not to eat purple carrots!

Instacart

Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.