The antioxidant polyphenols in carrots make them an ideal companion for best olive oil for your Thanksgiving feast.
Beautiful baby carrots make an elegant side dish that’s a great accompaniment for your Thanksgiving turkey. These flavourful carrots have the perfect balance of sweet and tangy thanks to the addition of honey and lemon juice. You don’t need too many ingredients to bring out the best in fresh carrots.
Ingredients
- l lb baby carrots halved
- 1 1/2 tbsp Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp light brown sugar packed
- 2 tsp orange juice
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Add carrots to a medium pot with 3 cups of water over medium high heat. Allow water to come to a boil and cook until tender when pierced (about 8-10 minutes). Drain water.
- Next add extra virgin olive oil, honey, brown sugar, orange juice and vanilla stirring to coat tender carrots in pot.
- Cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, occasionally stirring to coat the carrots. Once the carrots are glazed perfectly then season with salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with parsley and serve.
- Serve the honey roasted baby carrots.
What Are Baby Carrots?
True baby carrots are young carrots that are harvested before reaching their mature state. As such, they have the appearance of miniature carrots, with ridges, wrinkles plus bright green tops. What is usually found in stores is baby-cut carrots, or mature big carrots that are cut into baby carrot shapes and sizes to imitate the real thing.
If possible, try finding baby carrots, as their flavour is incomparable. Quick and easy to prepare, these carrots are best when cooked so they still have a bite; the crunch is part of their appeal.
With great amounts of vitamins A and C, carrots should be a staple in your kitchen. They’re high in fiber and low in calories, with only 38 calories in a 100-gram serving.
Health Benefits of Carrots
Carrots have a wealth of antioxidants and offer many health benefits.
They’re good for your eyes.
This is probably the best-known carrot benefit. They’re rich in beta-carotene, a compound your body changes into vitamin A, which helps keep your eyes healthy. And beta-carotene helps protect your eyes from the sun and lowers your chances of cataracts and other eye problems. Yellow carrots have lutein, which is also good for your eyes. Studies have found that it can help with or prevent age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S.
They can lower your risk of cancer.
Antioxidants have been proven to fight off harmful free radicals in your body, and that can make you less likely to have cancer. The two main types of antioxidants in carrots are carotenoids and anthocyanins. Carotenoids give carrots their orange and yellow colour, while anthocyanins are responsible for red and purple colouring.
They help your heart.
First, all those antioxidants are also good for your heart. Second, the potassium in carrots can help keep your blood pressure in check. And third, they have fiber, which can help you stay at a healthy weight and lower your chances of heart disease.
Red carrots also have lycopene, which helps prevent heart disease.
They boost your immune system.
The vitamin C in carrots helps your body build antibodies that defend your immune system. Vitamin C also helps your body take in and use iron and prevent infections.
They can help with constipation.
If you’re having trouble going to the bathroom, try munching on some raw carrots. With their high fiber content, they can help ease constipation and keep you regular.
They can help control diabetes.
People with diabetes are advised to load up on non-starchy vegetables, including carrots. The fiber in carrots can help keep blood sugar levels under control. And they’re loaded with vitamin A and beta-carotene, which there’s evidence to suggest can lower your diabetes risk.
They can strengthen your bones.
Carrots have calcium and vitamin K, both of which are important for bone health.
