Proper Storage MethodsCarrotFor One Year
Did you know that carrots can help you see things in the dark? I’m not kidding! This fact has been around for ages. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, the main source of vitamin A, which is essential for our skin health and vision. That’s why our grandmothers insisted we eat these crunchy orange veggies. There are many reasons to store carrots; their firm texture and sweet taste not only enhance food flavor but also make it delicious.
You can eat them cooked or raw. Carrots are also the best crunchy snack, especially when you want to spend less on snacks.
However, keeping a bag of fresh carrots can be quite challenging. They lose moisture after about a week and become rubbery.
To keep them for a longer time, the first step is to chop a lot of them as soon as you get home. The leaves continue to draw moisture from the roots, drying them out. If you want to use the leaves, you can store them separately in a ziplock bag.
Once you’ve done this, the next step is to preserve the root. For this, we recommend two short-term methods (one to two weeks) and in the Secretsof HousekeepingatSelMagztwo long-term methods (up to one year) forstoring carrotsWe suggest you choose a method that helps you avoid waste and spoilage.
Short-term Carrot Storage
How to Store Carrots:
Keeping Cool in Water
You can store carrots in water in the fridge for 1-2 weeks if you’ve used some for cooking and want to keep the rest for a healthy snack.
This is the easiest method for short-term carrot storage. Water helps keep the moisture and crunchy texture of carrots. You just need to change the water regularly, as leaving the carrots in the same water can cause them to become slimy, spoil, or grow mold.
Things You Need:
Peeled carrots, an airtight container, and distilled water.
Method:
Place the peeled carrots in a container, add water, and put the container in the fridge. Wash the carrots thoroughly and peel them. Place them in an airtight container, fill it with distilled water, and submerge the carrots in the water. Seal the container and store it in the fridge.
Note: Preferably use distilled water, as regular water contains impurities that can cause spoilage.
If you change the water every 4-5 days, the carrots will stay fresh for 1-2 weeks.
Ways to Store Carrots in the Fridge
How to Store Carrots in the Refrigerator:
Keeping Cool in a Paper Towel
Another way to keep fresh carrots is to wrap them in a damp paper towel and store them in a ziplock bag in the fridge. The moisture from the towel helps maintain the carrot’s flavor and texture for 1-2 weeks.
Things You Need:
Carrots, ziplock bags, paper towels, and a spray bottle for water.
Method:
Wrap the carrots in a paper towel and moisten the towel to keep them cool. Separate the leafy parts of the carrots; you don’t need to peel them. Ensure the carrots are completely dry, and wrap about 3-4 carrots in each towel.
(If you have more carrots, divide them into several bundles.)
Spray one to two drops of water onto the towel, without soaking it. Do this for all bundles, and then place each bundle into a ziplock bag, remove the air, seal it tightly, and store it in the fridge until needed.
Long-term Carrot Storage
How to Store Carrots for the Long Term:
Blanching
If you have a large quantity of carrots from your garden or kitchen and are wondering what to do with them, you can store them for up to a year using the blanching technique. Blanching helps kill the enzymes responsible for spoiling vegetables. Fresh, young carrots are best for blanching, as mature and leftover carrots become woody and dry.
Things You Need:
Chopped carrots, water, and ice cubes.
Method:
Bring a pot of water to boil and fill a large bowl with purified water. Heat the water until it reaches a boil, then add the chopped carrots to the boiling water. Blanch them for 3 minutes, then reduce the heat and keep the carrots in the warm water while preparing the ice bath. To make the ice bath, place some ice cubes into a bowl and add cold water until it covers the carrots.
As mentioned in the housekeeping section of SelMagz, use a slotted spoon to remove the chopped carrots from the warm water and immediately transfer them to the ice water. Allow them to stay in the ice water for 1-2 minutes. This stops the cooking process and prepares them for freezing. Then place the carrots in an airtight container and store them in the freezer.
You can add these carrot pieces directly tosoupor stews; there’s no need to thaw them, as carrots may become slimy or even sometimes tough. With this method, carrots can last for a year. In fact, you can do this withceleryas well.
Pickling
Pickling is an excellent way to preserve carrots for up to a year or even longer. Pickled carrots are incredibly crunchy and tasty, making them a unique condiment. Pickling involves storing vegetables in salt and usually an acid,like vinegarto prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi for a long time.
Things You Need:
Chopped carrots (2 cm thick), one cup of coarse salt, one tablespoonapple cider vinegar, one cup of sugarcoffeeand two tablespoonsred pepper.
Method:
Place the chopped carrots in a container, add one tablespoon of salt, and mix well with the carrots. Let it sit at room temperature for an hour; the salt will help draw outthe water from the carrots.Next, prepare the preserving mixture by pouring one cup of vinegar into a pot, adding two tablespoons of brown sugar, and optionally a half teaspoon of
red pepperfor extra flavor.Pickling Carrots
Stir well and heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Remove the pot from heat and let it cool to room temperature. Then add the mixture to the carrots and transfer them to a jar, using tongs for better handling.
Ensure the jar is sterilized to prevent mold. Discard the water collected in the bowl, pour the prepared vinegar mixture over the carrots, tightly seal the jar, and let it sit at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
You can store the pickled carrots at room temperature or in the fridge. With this method, carrots can last up to a year or even longer. If you notice a layer of white foam forming, remove it immediately.
Keeping Carrots Fresh
