Three Creative Ways to Cook with Carrots

We all know carrots as a popular health food, but these root vegetables were first grown 5,000 years ago for medicinal purposes, not food.

Carrots are still known for their health benefits since they’re a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin B6, and potassium. Carrots can promote healthy vision, boost your immune system, keep bones healthy, and help control blood pressure.

While carrots make a great snack or side dish on their own, it can be tough to get kids and picky eaters to enjoy this tasty and healthy treat. But fear not! There are a variety of creative ways to cook with carrots.  

Roasted Carrot and Garlic Hummus

Whether you’re throwing a spring gathering or just looking for a healthy snack with pita bread, crackers, or veggies, this roasted carrot and garlic hummus is a unique and delicious choice!

Ingredients for Roasted Carrots

• 6 ounces carrots, chopped into ½-inch rounds
• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Ingredients for Hummus

• 16-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 1 clove garlic
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon paprika
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup water
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice

Directions for Roasted Carrots

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Place carrots in a baking dish and drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss with a spoon to combine.
3. Roast carrots in the preheated oven until soft, about 25 minutes total, stirring after 15 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

Directions for Hummus

1. Place roasted carrots and all of the remaining hummus ingredients in a food processor. Process until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add additional water (or olive oil) as needed, 1 tablespoon at a time, if hummus is too thick.
2. Serve topped with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika if desired. Enjoy hummus with pita bread and fresh cut vegetables, such as bell peppers, cucumbers, radishes, and mushrooms—or more carrots!

Carrot Bacon

This healthy, gluten-free bacon alternative is a great way to make use of carrots this spring. Serve with breakfast and impress your friends and family with this delicious side.

Ingredients

• 1 large carrot
• 1 tablespoon tahini
• 1 tablespoon light oil (such as canola or rapeseed oil)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1½  teaspoons soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke

Directions

1. Peel and top and tail the carrot, then slice thinly.
2. Blitz the rest of the ingredients together for 20 seconds or so, until you have a thick marinade.
3. Place the carrot and marinade into a dish. Mix together so that all the carrot slices are coated, and set to one side for 30 minutes.
4. Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
5. Place the carrot strips side-by-side on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, spread more marinade over the strips, and bake for 15-20 minutes until it reaches desired crispiness.

Sesame-Ginger Carrot Noodle Stir Fry

Looking for a way to cut calories and still try new, tasty recipes? Packed full of protein and vitamins, this sesame-ginger carrot noodle stir fry makes a delicious and flavorful dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 large carrot, peeled, spiralized, or julienned
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to season
• ½ pound boneless chicken thighs, sliced thinly into strips
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 3 teaspoons low-sodium tamari (or coconut aminos)
• ½ teaspoon white sesame seeds, to garnish

Directions

1. Bring a medium saucepan, filled halfway with water, to a boil. Once boiling, add in the carrot noodles and broccoli and cook for 2-3 minutes until carrot noodles are al dente. Drain into a colander and set aside, dividing the broccoli and carrot noodles.
2. Place a wok or large skillet over medium heat. Once heated, add in half of the sesame oil. Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper, then add them to the pan. Cook for 5 minutes or until no longer pink inside. Set aside.
3. Add the remaining sesame oil to the pan and add in the broccoli, garlic, and ginger. Toss thoroughly, cooking for 3-5 minutes or until broccoli is fork-tender, tossing frequently. Then, add in the cooked chicken and tamari. Toss to combine and then toss in the carrot noodles and toss again.
4. Divide into two bowls and garnish with sesame seeds.

Freedom Foods is a family-owned and family-operated farm located in Wolcott, Indiana.

With 250+ years of generational farm experience and a passionate interest in gardening and growing delicious, high-quality produce, the Schleman family offers a fresh produce delivery service. Freedom Foods serves Battle Ground, Brookston, Lafayette, Monticello, Montmorenci, Remington, Reynolds, West Lafayette, and Wolcott, Indiana.  

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