The best ways to store carrots at home for a long time
Carrots are in fact a vegetable that, contrary to its resistant appearance, loses its properties if it is not stored properly. In this article we will tell you how to store carrots at home for a longer period.
Carrots are a delicious vegetable and rich in nutrients for the body, which is recommended in many healthy diets. Learning how to store carrots properly will help you enjoy the benefits of this special vegetable even when you don't have time to buy and prepare fresh carrots. In this article we will teach you how to store carrots at home.
How long are carrots normally stored?
Carrots typically stay fresh for up to six months in a commercial ultra-cold store; But in homes where these warehouse conditions are not available, carrots can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three weeks by other methods such as immersing them in water and using them plain. Of course, this period is only an approximate number obtained experimentally. In fact, depending on the type and time of harvest and the climate of your refrigerator or warehouse, carrots may last longer or spoil sooner.
If carrots are not stored properly, they will soon become mushy and flaky due to moisture loss, but as long as they are not sticky, you can still enjoy the benefits of carrots and eat them. You can use soft carrots in soups or stews because they can still provide you with nutrients and cook faster. If you want to freshen up soft carrots again and use them in salads or some dishes, you can dip them in an ice water bath to make them crisp again with a cold shock.
Ways to store carrots for a long time
You can extend the shelf life of carrots and prevent premature deterioration by doing the following:
1. Remove the roots of carrots immediately after purchase
If you got your carrots organically from a grower, once they get home, cut off the top of the carrots, if any, leaving about 1/2 inch or less of the stem. If left intact, carrot roots will absorb the moisture in the carrot itself, drying it out faster.
2. To store carrots, do not pre-wash them
To store carrots for a longer period, do not wash them at all before consumption. Washing carrots for storage can lead to mold growth. Whenever you want to eat carrots, wash only as much as you need at the same time.
3. Get to the warehouse
If you have access to a cool, dark place like a pantry, the best place to store unwashed carrots is. Pack it in an airtight container with leaves, sawdust, shavings or wet sand and put it in storage. This method is a great option for storing lots of carrots, as it will keep fresh for several months.
4. Store carrots in water in the refrigerator
If you don't have a storage outlet, you can keep carrots fresh by placing unpeeled, unwashed carrots in a large glass or plastic container or plastic bag completely sealed under cold water. Consider a tall, narrow bowl or even a pitcher for this purpose to save space by keeping the carrots upright. Remember to change the water every 4 to 5 days.
5. Remember to keep carrots away from ethylene producers
Whatever storage method you choose, be sure to keep carrots away from ethylene producers such as apples. Carrots and other root vegetables will quickly rot or become bitter when stored near bananas, apples, pears, or other fruits and vegetables that release ethylene gas, and the storage period for carrots under these conditions is very short.
6. Freeze the carrots
If you want to store carrots to have for a few weeks but don't have storage space, freezing is the next best way to preserve carrots. Start by rinsing and scrubbing the carrots to remove any dirt. Then there are several options for freezing. Blanching means briefly boiling carrots in boiling water for only 3 to 4 minutes and immediately placing them in ice water preserves their color and reduces the cooking time of frozen carrots. If you want to use frozen carrots for your carrot cake, grate them or puree them in a food processor before storing them in freezer bags. You can also cut whole carrots into coins, put them on a sheet of parchment paper and put them in the freezer. After freezing, put the carrots in plastic and put them in the freezer.
7. Don't store carrots in plastic
Placing carrots in plastic can provide favorable conditions for all kinds of mold to grow. As a result, the carrots will spoil very quickly and will not be usable. Even if you do want to do this, be sure to put some holes in the plastic to create proper air circulation and prevent the carrots from spoiling.
How to store peeled carrots
Peeled carrots and baby carrots are more likely to dry out after the outer protective layer has been removed. When storing peeled carrots, you should provide them with extra moisture to prevent them from cracking, turning white, and drying out. With the following method, the storage period of peeled carrots increases to 3 weeks:
Wash the carrots with cold water.
Pour cold water into a container with a lid and add carrots to it. Make sure that the carrots are completely submerged.
If you do not plan to eat the carrots within a few days, you should change the water periodically to prevent bacterial growth. Wash the carrots and change the water every 4-5 days.
Just before eating, wash the carrots again to remove any possible germs and not pose a risk to your health.
How to store chopped carrots
Sometimes it may happen to you that you want to eat only part of a large carrot and save the rest for another meal. In this case, the following method should be used to store carrots so that they remain fresh:
Dip a paper towel in cold water and wrap it around the carrots.
Place the cabbage carrots in an airtight container and place them in a cool part of the refrigerator, such as a drawer near the freezer.
You can use this carrot for 3 weeks.
Are old carrots less nutritious?
When carrots are kept away from heat and light, they can increase the concentration of vitamins. Half a cup of fresh carrots contains 73% of the recommended daily amount of vitamin A, 9% of vitamin K, and 5% of vitamin C, and this amount can be more at a given weight. Therefore, do not throw away carrots easily, and even if they are soft, if they are not spoiled or moldy, use them to prepare broth, pesto or salad.
How do you know that a carrot is spoiled?
Rotten carrots usually have an unpleasant odor, sticky texture, or dark color. It may also be wilted or too soft. If you see that the carrots are moldy or unsightly in appearance, throw them away. The white color that appears on the carrot indicates that the carrot is dry. Carrots this white are still edible. Of course, this whiteness is different from mold, and you need to be careful to tell it apart. To use it in this case, rinse it first to bring back some of the lost moisture from the carrots and then use it.
The conclusion
The correct way to store carrots will help you buy more at one time and have these nutrients in your home for longer. As a result, you don't need to go to the market and waste your time whenever you want to use it.
