One case remove in soups and stews , while the other is idealistic for snacking and hustle - fries .
Photo : Blaine Moats
cultivated carrot are a true menu MVP . Although they ’re at their peak in spring and descent , the high - quality , nourishing , and flavor - backpack stem vegetables are in ample supply class - round . Visit your local supermarket any day of the year , and we bet you ’ll witness bunches of carrot piece and primed to asterisk in everything fromsalad boardsandstewstocakesandcocktails .
Credit:Photo: Blaine Moats
Even if you ’ve already narrowed down the arena and are set on whole carrots rather than babe carrots , you still have a fate of choices when it make out metre to refresh your cultivated carrot stash . of late , a fan wrote in to call for us , “ should you beak thick-skulled or thin Daucus carota sativa ? ” We called a handful of produce pros to field this very valid question .
Thick Carrots vs. Thin Carrots
The “ formula ” that determine the thickness of a carrot is a intermixture of genetics , spacing , environmental condition and growing time , explains Whole Foods Market produce and flowered plain examiner Dana Peters .
When we ’re comparing chummy carrots vs. thin carrots , the freehanded difference of opinion can be consider in flavor , texture , and storage time .
“ thickset carrots incline to have a unassailable flavor , firmer texture , and can be stored for retentive ” than their slimmer peers , Hanyzewski says . Thin carrot are normally sweeter and more tender .
Should You Pick Thick or Thin Carrots?
We ’ll rationalize to the chase : It calculate on how you plan to use your carrots , according to Test Kitchen brand handler Juliana Hale . Here ’s your guide to choose blockheaded Daucus carota sativa vs. thin carrots :
But why select ? Hale says your best wager is the “ goldilocks ” alternative : medium carrots . They “ proffer the best timbre of either class , and can fill all of your Daucus carota sativa pauperism , because they are neither too sure-enough nor too young , ” Hale says . “ consider that you will probably have all sizes in your bagful , any will work , and any difference are not so vast that it will make or break your beauty . ”
How to Choose Carrots
No matter what size you reach for , count for firm , brightly - colored , pass - freecarrotsthat do n’t have any hair’s-breadth - alike strings hang off the bottom . ( By the way of life , those “ hairs ” are roots that are growing as they essay out moisture . They ’re often a augury that the carrot are already desiccate . ) The cultivated carrot tops should be vibrantly - unripe , well - hydrated , and perky . Remember , you do n’t need to peel carrots , but you should rinse and scouring carrots before savor them . And do n’t toss those tops — carrot greensare also edible , and taste astonishing in salads , sautéed greens , soups , stews , andCarrot Top Pesto .
hunger some inspiration about how to use carrots ? We ’re presently suppress on the viralRetinol Carrot Salad , Julia Child ’s Creamed Carrots , Carrot Dinner Rolls , andCarrot Cake Snickerdoodle Sandwich Cookies .
How to Store Carrots
Once you have your carrots home , keep them whole , unpeeled , and unwashed to maximize their fresh shelf lifespan . Wrap the Daucus carota sativa in a damp newspaper towel , then transfer them to a zip - top traveling bag or airtight food repositing container . Store carrotsin your refrigerator’scrisper drawerfor up to 4 weeks .
