Veggie of the Week: Carrots

Nutritional value in carrots:

To present the carrot nutritional facts properly, it is worthwhile to begin with the nutritional value in these wonderful taproots. A carrot, especially the juice of carrots, supplies the human body with plenty of Pro-Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B6 (Niacin, Folate). Carrot also contains plentiful magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, potassium, selenium, iron, zinc, copper, biotin, organic sodium and some other minerals in traces.

Phytonutrients are nature’s miraculous gifts with tremendous healing effects on several diseases afflicting mankind. Carrots are a rich source of these marvelous phytonutrients. The common phytonutrients found in carrots are lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and xanthophylls.

Carrot greens or tops are also edible as mentioned earlier. It is a rich source of protein and potassium, two very vital nutrients needed for the proper functioning of the organs of our body.

How can the nutrients in carrot benefit your health?

Carrot benefits our health in the following ways:

• Carrot strengthens your immune system by triggering the production of white blood cells.Thus your body can fight back infections in a better way.
• Carrot easily fixes the problem of constipation. You need to combine 5 parts of carrot juice and 1 part spinach juice and drink daily to get rid of constipation.
• Carrot has anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore it is very effective for people suffering from gout, rheumatism, arthritis and other inflammation forms.
• The phyto-nutrients in carrot keep your optic system healthy. It will protect your eyes against cataracts, muscular degeneration and astigmatism.
• Carrots are rich in pectin which can keep cholesterol levels under check.
• Carrot eases nasal congestion and sinusitis by easily draining out mucus. It also clears your throat and ear of mucus and phlegm.
• Carrot contains organic alkaline components that check blood sugar and blood acid imbalances.
• Carrot helps in blood-building because carrot molecules replicate hemoglobin molecules.
• Carrot juice easily disperses arterial plaque and thus lowers the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
• Carrot has great cleansing power. It prevents acne break-outs by eliminating the toxins from your system.
• The anti-oxidants in carrot promote respiratory health and check asthmatic tendencies.
• New research discloses that eating 1 carrot per day significantly lowers the risk of cancers.
• Carrot can treat diarrhea conditions effectively.
• Carrot enhances the functioning of the adrenal glands
• Carrot contains a nutrient called potash succinate. This nutrient is potent enough to check high blood pressure or hypertension.
• Intake of carrot replenishes starved cells with essential nutrients. This prevents the formation of ulcers
• The vitamins loaded carrot juice nourishes your skin thoroughly. It keeps away dark spots, blemishes from your skin, checks problems like psoriasis, dry skin.
• Carrot juice is diuretic in nature. It prevents water retention by flushing out excess fluids from one’s body.
• Lactating mothers should take ample carrot juice because it improves the quantity and quality of breast milk
• Intake of carrot juice during the advanced months of pregnancy safeguards the baby from the attack of jaundice.
• Carrot juice triggers menstrual flow and prevents menstrual cramps.
• Carrot juice also effectively deals with infertility and low libido (sex drive) problems in both men and women.
• Carrot juice acts like an energy tonic. It will brush aside stress and both physical & mental fatigue

http://www.carrotnutritionfacts.org/

Copper Pennies

Ingredients

• 2 pounds carrots
• 1 can tomato soup                                         
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dry dill
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 large green pepper, diced
• 1 large onion, diced

Directions

Dice carrots then cook in boiling water until tender yet crisp. Drain and allow to cool. Add all other ingredients and cook till slightly tender.

Prosciutto and Carrot Bundles

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

Prep Time: 10 min

Cook Time: 0

Level: Easy

Serves: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 2 carrots, shredded, about 1/2 cup
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Pinch salt
• Pinch freshly ground black pepper
• 4 slices prosciutto
• 4 whole fresh basil leaves

Directions

 In a medium bowl, toss together the carrots, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Lay out the 4 slices of prosciutto. Top each with 1/4 of the carrot mixture. Place a basil leaf on top of each and roll the prosciutto up and around the basil and carrots. Secure the bundles with toothpicks and serve.