There’s a lot to love about carrots – these inexpensive, versatile root vegetables are available year-round and nutritionally rich in beta-carotene, which our bodies convert to vitamin A (retinol). As a hardy root, carrots don’t need handling with particular care, but to help them last as long as three months, it’s worth checking them over and storing with consideration.
Removing packaging, checking for bruising and soft spots and trimming off greens, prepares carrots well for storage. Keeping carrots in the fridge will help them last longer than out of the fridge, as the cold temperature slows the chemical process that ages carrots. But if storing carrots in the fridge isn’t an option, look for somewhere that’s cool, dark and ventilated.
How to store carrots
To maximise the length of time carrots remain edible, store them in the fridge, ideally in a sealed container with a shallow layer of water at the bottom. The water in the container helps the carrots remain crisp as these root vegetables naturally draw up moisture as and when they need it. Stored in the fridge, with a supply of water, carrots can last up to three months.
Another optimal place to store carrots is in an environment similar to where they grow. If you’re growing carrots yourself, leave them in well-drained soil until needed, protected from frost with a thick layer of straw or bracken. Otherwise, make up a big box of horticultural sand mixed with wood chipping, or fill with soil and layer in the carrots, making sure they’re completely covered. See Gardener’s World for more on storing homegrown carrots.
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Tips for storing carrots
Whether you’re storing carrots in the fridge, cupboard or pantry, keep them away from ethylene gas-producing fruits and vegetables, such as apples, avocados, bananas, pepper and tomatoes, which accelerate ripening and fermentation.
Remove all packaging
We’re all guilty of unpacking shopping in a rush and carelessly hauling a bag of carrots straight into a fridge’s vegetable drawer, cupboard or pantry. However, the thin plastic bags that carrots are commonly sold in exist for the convenience of transporting and selling carrots, not their storage. When it comes to storing carrots, that same plastic bag can trap excess moisture, leading carrots to degrade and rot. Take a moment to remove carrots from any packaging before storing.
Store carrots unwashed
Unless carrots are caked in mud, try not to wash them before storing. Traces of dirt on unwashed carrots act as an extra barrier, protecting them from dehydration.
Check carrots’ texture
A carrot harvested at its peak will be firm from tip to stem. Use your hands to check over carrots before storing, feeling for soft spots, bruising and slimy ends, which all indicate early degradation that can spread to other carrots.
Remove carrot tops
As carrots’ feathery greens draw water away from the root, it’s best to cut them from the crown before storing. Hang onto carrot greens for stock or recipes such as carrot top & lemon pesto.
Frequently asked questions
Good Food answers your carrot storage questions.
How do you store peeled carrots?
Peeled carrots benefit from the addition of moisture as their skins help to protect them from dehydration. Wrap peeled carrots in a damp, clean kitchen towel and keep in the fridge. Alternatively put peeled carrots in a sealed container with a shallow layer of water at the bottom, again stored in the fridge.
Do yellow or purple carrots need to be stored differently?
While bright orange carrots are the most commonly cultivated variety, heirloom variants of carrot come in purple, black, red, white and yellow. All carrots need to be stored in the same way regardless of variant.
For more information on carrot varieties and different ways to cook carrots, see Good Food’s carrots glossary.
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source https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/how-to-store-carrots-tips-to-make-carrots-last-longer
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