As I begin my day I wanted to let you know April 4th is International Carrot Day. David and Charlie like Raw Carrots but I like Cooked Carrots. What about you? I know Charlie and David will not mind celebrating #InternationalCarrotDay with me. I just need to get them some Dip for there Carrots and pick up a can of Carrots for me to make with Butter since I don’t plan on making a Roast.
Suzzane liked Carrots as well but only if she was getting them at Boston Market or her Big Sister Stevie would make Cinnamon and Sugar Carrots ie Candy Carrots for her. Which I will pass on. Have you ever had Cinnamon and Sugar Carrots or how do you like to prefer Carrots and why?
Join me off and let’s hake off the dirt and wear your best orange on International Carrot Day, which falls on April 4th. You’ll never catch a lot of people without a pack of Carrots in the crisper and that’s because Carrots is not only highly affordable with a long shelf life, but Carrots are also exceedingly beneficial for our health. Whether Carrots are brightening our Winter Soups or complimenting the Cream Cheese Icing in Cakes, Carrots are always a welcome guest on any plate.
Did you know the first annual celebration of this vibrant root occurred in the year 2003 with the pure intention of celebrating the staple Salad ingredient. As of now, celebrations have been reported to occur in France, Italy, Sweden, Russia, Australia, Japan, and the U.K. It seems that Carrots are a rather hearty Plant that can grow in many diverse conditions, though Carrots typically come into harvest in the Summer and Fall seasons of their growth sites.
If your #Homeschooling your children then you could let them know California is responsible for 85% of the Carrots that U.S. citizens purchase in Supermarkets across the Country. You could have your students do a #Gardening Class and plant Carrots. Remember even if your not homeschooling gardening is a great way to bond with your children.
While the Taproot is traditionally the star of the culinary show, Carrot Greens is the part that grows out of the soil and toward the Sun are equally edible. I didn’t know that. Did you? Many Countries use this portion of the plant to mix in with their Salad Greens. I don’t know about you but the next time I make a Salad I will use them because I hate wasting food.
Carrots are among the few Vegetables that are harvested primarily for their roots, rather than their sprouts. Joining them are Potatoes, Turnips, Radishes, and Beets. The traditional Carrot’s hue is a deep orange with yellow undertones, but there are many different variations in color harvested worldwide, including purple, red, and pale yellow iterations. Looks like I had different Carrots to try with David and Charlie. If you’ve used different colored Carrots what did you use them for?
Due to the Carrot’s longevity when stored in the refrigerator, Carrots often makes appearances in dishes for all Seasons, from Spring to Autumn to Winter. Carrots are also among the Vegetables that can be eaten raw and fresh, with only a little scrub under cool water as preparation. When raw, the crunch of a Carrot can be heard from many feet away. Carrots can be served as a sweet treat in Carrot Cake, or as a savory accompaniment to Meats including Roast, Salmon and Chicken.
How to Celebrate International Carrot Day
After visiting your local Super Market or the local Farmer’s Market to gather some different Carrot varieties, bring your haul home and prepare for a blind taste test. Cut and prepare each variety, from purple to white to orange and once, they’re complete, blindfolded ask your family members to try the Veggies up! Without the visual input to spoil things, your taste testers can describe the different flavor nuances of each colored root. Then have them vote on there favorite.
Did you know you could propagate your own Carrot Plants just by using the scraps from your regular Super Market purchase? When you’re ready to use your Carrots, cut the tops of them off and set them aside. Place the stump-cut side down in a shallow glass dish and fill with about one inch of water. Set the dish in a Sunny windowsill and top the Water off each day and you will be growing your own sprouts!
If International Carrot Day , which occurs in early Spring, is still nippy where you live, then take advantage of the opportunity to throw together a cozy, warm Soup starring this orange Veggie front and center. Most people like to start our Soups by sautéing Onion, Garlic, and Celery in a deep pot and then adding Carrots cut in thin discs before covering with delicious Chicken or Vegetable Stock. Pull on some knit socks and a cozy blanket and enjoy this warm, healthy treat in honor of our favorite beta-carotene contributor!
Facts About Farmers’ Markets
At a farmers’ market, almost all produce has been harvested at peak ripeness, sometimes even within the last 24 hours before you purchase the Vegetables making them much tastier.
When you shop at a Farmers’ Market, you’ll only be able to purchase what is already in season — by molding your weekly menu to Mother Earth’s bounty, you’ll be reducing carbon emissions and helping the planet.
Local farmers, who are the life of Farmers’ Markets, can help introduce you to new Fruits and Vegetables that you may have never have heard of before. Bringing the kids to the Farmers Market with you to learn about Vegetables may entice the pickiest eaters to branch out and try new Vegetables including Carrots.
Depending on your geographical location, you can also purchase farm-fresh Eggs, fresh Milk, and even Cheeses and Meats from your local Farmers Market. As an added bonus, most of the Animals responsible for producing these products are treated far more humanely on these small family farms than they are in corporate factories.
Your most cherished local restaurants probably visit the farmers’ markets religiously — while you’re there, you’ll meet lots of creative and community-oriented members of your neighborhood and feel far more connected than you would by just walking into a Supermarket. You may even make life-long friends.
Why People love International Carrot Day
When it comes to finding enthusiasm in the kitchen, we can often overlook the simple staples that have carried us through a lifetime. International Carrot Day reminds us about this ubiquitous and universally loved Vegetable that is likely in each of our refrigerator drawers.
The primary vitamin in Carrots is beta-carotene, which transforms into vitamin A once processed through the human digestive system. Vitamin A is known for strengthening the eyes as well as the bones, teeth, and skin. I need to eat Carrots every day if they can help our eyes and teeth and so do Charlie and David. What about you?
Did you know Carrots are among the cheapest Vegetables available for purchase in the U.S.? Carrots make clean-eating more accessible to Citizens of all socioeconomic backgrounds, which means no one is excluded from celebrating along with us!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots, sliced
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
- Minced fresh parsley, optional
Directions
- Place carrots in a large saucepan; add 1 in. water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and set aside.
2 In the same pan, combine butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper over medium heat; cook and stir until butter is melted. Return carrots to the pan; cook and stir until carrots are glazed, about 5 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with parsley.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
