Rainbow carrots are actually a variety of ordinary carrots. They are called that way because their main feature is their color. These carrots have their root in traditional ordinary carrots that have been used for culinary purposes for the past 1500 years. Rainbow carrots however, are a product of the US government that has made to through careful planning and engineering.
While carrots are commonly eaten raw or in salads, they can also be used in a variety of delicious cooked dishes. If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy this versatile vegetable, you can try to make roasted rainbow carrots. To get started, you’ll need to find rainbow carrots (regular carrots/orange carrots/tri colored carrots), which can often be found at local farmers markets or most grocery stores. Once you have your carrots, simply follow a roasted rainbow carrots recipe to create a flavorful and pair it perfectly with a roasted vegetables dish recipe and some fresh herbs.
If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious side dish, why not try a carrots recipe that features colorful carrots (rainbow carrots) and fresh parsley? These delicious veggies are even more nutritious when cooked, and roasting them with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil brings out their natural sweetness and flavor. Try tossing them with some chopped fresh parsley for a colorful and delicious side dish that pairs perfectly with a variety of mains.
Rainbow Carrot Trivia
- – Carrots are loaded with beta-carotene, a natural chemical that the body changes into vitamin A.
- One carrot can provide two time the daily dose of Vitamin A.
- They are more nutritious when they are cooked than when they are eaten raw. To make a colorful side dish carrot recipe, you can add fresh herbs (i.e. chopped parsley and fresh thyme) and lemon zest to the carrots after cooking. For a nice presentation, evenly sprinkle the dish with chopped carrot tops.
Rainbow Carrot Buying Guide
The first thing to look for in the carrots are the leafs and not the plant itself. You should look for fresh and bright green leafs first and foremost. The carrots themselves should be bright and without visible blemishes on the skin. They can vary in size, but those that are not too large or too small will taste the best.
The carrot should feel light in the hand and have a thick and firm feel it as well if its fresh.
Rainbow Carrot Production & Farming in Texas
There’s no difference in how to grow these rainbow carrots/tri colored carrots in comparison to the regular orange carrots. They are a product of mixing varieties and they have been around since the WW2. These rainbow carrots have gained traction amongst culinary types recently, simply due to how they look and how they brighten up a salad.
The different kinds of rainbow carrot seed you’ll be getting in your order are Red Core Chantenay, Scarlet Nantes, Kyoto Red, Snow White, Solar Yellow, Cosmic Purple, and Little Fingers.
All of these carrots will mature in about 70 days. The key to growing the carrots in Texas is to find the soil for them. This means that you’ll need lose, light and airy soil. The soil could be made into a more hospitable environment for the carrots if you add sand to it.
The rich compost is also needed to keep the soil moist and nutritious throughout the process. That will be the most expensive and most demanding part of growing carrots. This type of carrots similar to regular orange carrots needs to be watered daily until you see them sprouting from the ground, and after that they can be watered weekly.
The harvest should be done between 70 and 75 days after planting or when they are ½ inch wide.
Pesticides
Carrots are considered to be a safe vegetable. Baby carrots are treated with pesticides so that they can be extracted faster but mature ones are safe to use without worrying about chemicals.
Geography
Carrots have been around for about 1.000 years and they were originally cultivated in what’s todays Afghanistan. They were spread to Europe through Spain when it was under Muslim rule. From there carrots were moved to the Americas by the first settlers.
Rainbow carrots on the other hand are a product of the US Department of Agriculture that mixed a variation of different species from around the world to get this particular mix of seeds and to shorten the maturity time in the process.
Packaging
Carrots can be presented in a variety of different packaging. These range from being placed in an airtight container or tied in a bundle to being sold in plastic bags or in big cardboard boxes that can easily be moved from the field itself all the way to the store.
They are sometimes left with leaves but not always and rainbow carrots are usually packed so that you get at least one of each colors.
Enjoying Rainbow Carrots
Carrots are one of the simplest vegetables to prepare and that’s a big part of their appeal. This makes them a great option for holiday dinner or any holiday meal where you might have picky eaters at the dinner table. Even picky eaters tend to enjoy carrots and when prepared creatively, they can be a huge hit. They need to be cleaned of the leafs (which are also useable) and peeled with a sharp knife of a tool made for that purpose.
After that there’s plenty you can do with carrots and it depends on your own taste and how big a role vegetable play in your diet. People usually toss carrots (Sliced half lengthwise) in salads and eaten raw in many cases because they add a healthy and crunchy feel and taste to the dish. They could also be cooked, stir-fried and boiled and mashed instead of potatoes.
Whether you’re using regular carrots or baby carrots, these versatile veggies are a great addition to any meal. If you’re using regular carrots, be sure to peel carrots before cooking or eating, but baby carrots can be enjoyed with the skin on for a quick and easy fork tender snack. Try roasting them with some fresh herbs (i.e. fresh thyme and brussels sprouts) for a delicious and nutritious side dish, it can also be chopped fresh and tossed into a salad along with the brussels sprouts and fresh thyme, also add a drizzle of garlic powder then olive oil and salt and pepper for some extra flavor and crunch, then serve immediately.
If you’re looking for an elegant side dish, rainbow carrots are a great option to consider. While regular orange carrots are delicious, the vibrant hues of rainbow carrots add an extra pop of color and visual interest to any meal. To prepare them, simply toss carrots with a drizzle of olive oil and season with salt and pepper before roasting or stir-frying and serve immediately. Not only will they look beautiful on the plate, but they’ll also add a sweet and savory flavors that complements a wide variety of dishes.
Storage
Carrots are easy to store. You can do it when they are unwashed and unpeeled, which is when they can be stored in sacks or boxes in a cold room where there’s not that much light or moist. Beyond that you can peel them off and clean them after which they should be stored in plastic bags in a cold part of the fridge.
They can be stored like this for a week without losing any of the quality.
Cooking
The beauty of the rainbow carrots is in their rich colors and the variety that they add to the plate. They are therefore especially well-suited to roasting. This allows you to mix and match the qualities of the meat you’re roasting, with the sweet and juicy qualities of the fork tender carrots.
Here’s a simple recipe on how to do the carrots alone and the rest of the dish is about your own preferences.
Roasting is a great way to bring out the natural sweetness and juicy qualities of carrots, especially when using colorful rainbow carrots. If you’re looking for a delicious carrot recipe, try roasting them with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and garlic powder (You can also use regular olive oil) on a baking sheet or parchment paper, making sure to arrange them in a single layer for even cooking. For thicker carrots, consider cutting them in half lengthwise before roasting to ensure they cook through and roasted to perfection. With this you’ll surely find rainbow carrots makes a tasty and colorful addition to any meal, but they also complement the great flavor of roasted meat dishes perfectly.
Toss 3 bunches baby rainbow carrots, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt on a baking sheet; arrange in a single layer. Roast at 450 degrees F, turning once, until tender and slightly browned, 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and chopped chives.
After cooking these orange carrots/rainbow carrots/multicolored carrots you can save them later by placing it in an airtight container.
Nutrition Information
Carrots are mainly composed of water and carbs. The carbs consist of starch and sugars, such as sucrose and glucose. They are also a relatively good source of fiber, with one medium-sized carrot (61 grams) providing 2 grams. Carrots often rank low on the glycemic index (GI), which is a measure of how quickly foods raise blood sugar after a meal. Their GI ranges from 16–60 — lowest for raw carrots, a little higher for cooked ones, and highest for puréed. Eating low-glycemic foods is linked to numerous health benefits and considered particularly beneficial for people with diabetes.
When Are Rainbow Carrots in Season in Texas?
To find out when Rainbow Carrots are in season in Texas, please check the seasonal chart below. Why is this important? We are rarely encouraged to think about the physical lengths our food travels before arriving on the market shelves. And all of this travel comes with a hefty environmental cost that is concealed from the consumer’s eye. One of the most salient benefits to eating seasonally is that you are effectively reducing your carbon footprint and supporting a more geographically sustainable food economy. Check other fruit and veg that’s in season in Texas now.
