Carrot: A healthy root vegetable for winters!
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Carrot: A healthy root vegetable for winters!

Experts say consuming raw carrots can help in digestion and address the problem of constipation

Carrot: A healthy root vegetable for winters!

vegetable that is a winter staple is Carrot. They are not only crunchy and yummy but also packed with nutrients and lots of health benefits. Experts say consuming raw carrots can help in digestion and address the problem of constipation.

It can also help in maintaining healthy cholesterol and preventing heart disease. Whether you eat it raw, juice it, munch it in a salad or have it cooked, it is never going to disappoint you.

Here are the amazing health benefits of carrots you must know-

Boost your eye health: Carrots are best known for improving eyesight because they are rich in beta-carotene. When this compound is consumed, it changes into Vitamin A which helps keep your eyes healthy. The same compound also protects your eyes from the sun and reduces the chances of cataracts.

Also read | Warm and fresh evening snacks for Winter

Boost your immunity: The new Corona variant, 'Omicron' has posed risk to everyone's health yet again and to protect ourselves and boost our immunity, we need to consume healthy. Carrots are one of the best food choices when it comes to boosting immunity. Vitamin C present in carrots defends the immune system and helps in producing antibodies.

Improves bone health: Carrots are rich in Vitamin K which helps is important for the healthy building of bones. 

Support cardiac health: Antioxidants are not only good for skin but also for heart health and the potassium present in carrots helps keep the body blood pressure in control. This root vegetable is also rich in fibres which ultimately helps in maintaining healthy body weight and reduces the chances of heart health.

Beneficial for diabetes: Diabetic people are suggested to consume more non-starchy vegetables including carrots. It helps in keeping the control of sugar levels in the blood. Vitamin A and Beta-carotene present in carrots are evident to lower the risk of diabetes. 

Let's talk about some tasty food recipes made of carrots. 

If you crave something tangy and spicy with your food, carrot chutney can be an interesting option. 

Credit: CCnD

Check out the recipe below: 

You require the following written ingredients to prepare delicious carrot chutney for two servings  

INGREDIENTS: 

1. 2 tsp oil
2. 1 tsp urad dal
3.1 tsp chana dal 
4. 4 dried red chilli
5. 2 clove garlic
6. 2 tbsp onion (finely chopped)
7. 1 cup carrot (peeled & chopped)
8. 3 tbsp coconut (grated)
9. small ball tamarind / imli
10. ½ tsp salt
11. 2 tsp oil
12. 1 tsp mustard / rai
13. few curry leaves

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Heat 2 tsp oil and roast 1 tsp urad dal, 1 tsp chana dal and 4 dried red chillies.
  2. Now saute 2 clove garlic and 2 tbsp onion until the raw smell goes away. 
  3. Next, add 1 cup chopped carrot and saute until the colour changes.
  4. Let the mixture cool completely, and transfer to the blender.
  5. Add 3 tbsp coconut, a small ball of tamarind and ½ tsp salt.
  6. Pour in water as required and blend to smooth paste.
  7. -Now prepare the tempering by heating 2 tsp oil.
  8. -Add 1 tsp mustard and a few curry leaves. allow it to splutter.

Finally, pour the tempering over carrot chutney and serve with dosa or idli or anything you like.

Another great recipe is Carrot pickle 

Credit: Archana's kitchen

Arrange the following written ingredients to prepare the carrot pickle. 

INGREDIENT

3 carrots (thickly sliced) 
5 tbsp oil (ANY)
2 inches ginger (thinly chopped)
¾ tsp mustard seeds
1 dried red chilli or red chilli powder
¼ tsp Hing
10 curry leaves
¼ tsp turmeric powder
¼ tsp methi
1 tbsp salt (according to your taste)
1 tsp white vinegar
2 lemon juice
Mustard powder

INSTRUCTIONS 

  • Take a large pan and add 2 tbsp of oil and to that add thickly sliced ginger 
  • Furthermore, add chopped carrot and saute.
  • Now add some more oil to the same mixture. 
  • Once the oil is hot as required, add mustard seeds, red chilli, hing and curry leaves. saute till the mustard seeds splutter.
  • Next, add 2 tsp of chilli powder, turmeric powder, mustard powder, fenugreek powder and salt. to prepare fenugreek powder and mustard powder, dry roast then powders them.-give a good mix and switch off the flame.
  • Now add fried carrot and ginger.
  • Additionally, add a tsp of vinegar.
  • Also, add the juice of 2 lemons.
  • Then give a good mix. Once the pickle is cooled completely, transfer it to a glass jar.
  • Finally, serve pickles immediately or store them in an airtight container.