Crunch into Carrots during January’s Harvest of the Month! This month we are talking all about Carrots! Carrots come in a rainbow of colors including purple, white, red, yellow, and orange. Carrots are a type of root vegetable, meaning that the part we eat grows underground and is called a taproot (a large, tapered root). Did you know that you can eat the leafy green tops of the carrots?
All carrots are nutrient-dense, but each color offers different phytochemicals which act as antioxidants in our body, which means they protect our cells from damage. Carrots are best known for being an excellent source of beta-carotene. Our bodies turn beta-carotene into Vitamin A, which is important for keeping your skin and bones healthy, resisting and fighting infection, and good eyesight. In Wisconsin, fresh grown carrots are available from mid-July through October.
Carrots can be stored through winter and you can find them in your local grocery store anytime of year! Try making veggie fries with your carrots - cut your carrots into ¼ or ½ inch segments, toss with olive oil, herbs and seasonings, spread them on a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes until crisp. Eat them with a healthy dip! Enjoy carrots this month and explore new foods!
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