Whether you're a CSA devotee, a farmers' market weekender or consider ketchup a
veg, we'll bring you fresh inspiration for how to prepare our local produce.
This week's harvest: Carrots
Easter is this month and with the bunny coming and all, we thought we'd feature the beloved carrot. Bugs Bunny always got me to eat mine. They're so darling with their floppy tops and crunchy sweet roots that come in a rainbow of colors. I love them and while you certainly could just eat them raw, we're thinking it might be fun to host a carrot harvest party with this easy to eat and fun to share food.
When are carrots in season?
December to May.
Selecting, cleaning and storage tips:
Look for hard roots that are full of water and look freshly plucked from the dirt. While they probably will have the green tops attached at the market, make sure you separate the top and bottoms when you get them home. The tops will leech water and nutrients off of the roots and we don't want that. Most people will throw the tops away but you could actually eat them, or use them as decoration for your party. Since Earth Day is this month too, please don't just throw them away, toss them into your compost bin in the backyard. Your plants will appreciate it.
Store the cleaned and dried greens in the fridge in a plastic bag with a kitchen towel thrown in to prevent extra moisture. Keep the roots in plastic bag too to prevent them from drying out on you.
Harvest Party Recipe Ideas:
Send out your invitations to the carrot harvest party potluck. Make sure everybody replies with what they're making so that you don't get too many of one thing, like carrot cupcakes or something.
Mango Carrot Ginger and Olive Oil Sip
Deborah Knight served this refreshing drink at a Slow Food farm tour day at Crooked Sky Farms in shot glasses
Jamaican Carrot Ginger Lime Juice
Dishes
Thyme Whole Roasted Carrots
Moroccan Carrot Salad
Vegetable Cake with Carrots
Sausage and Carrot Pasta
Carrot Pie
Desserts
Jennifer Woods is a local food advocate with over 10 years working in the AZ
food industry, and currently works for Crooked Sky Farms, a CSA produce
farm based in South Phoenix.