| Pantry | Refrigerator | Freezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw | - | 2-3 Weeks | 12 Months |
| Cooked | - | 3-5 Days | 12 Months |
| Frozen | - | - | 12 Months |
Shelf Life of Carrot
Carrot is one of the vegetables that taste delicious and loaded with vitamins. However, you can only get benefits from carrot till it is fresh and not suffer from decay. Most of the time carrots come without any particular label of best use. Therefore; you must be attentive at the time of picking the carrots.
In general, you can store raw carrots outside your fridge for up to 3-5 days. If you want to place carrots in the refrigerator, then it can last up to 4 weeks. On the other hands, carrots’ shelf life extends when you keep it in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Purchasing Carrots
Whether you have to make carrot cake or a salad, choosing the right quality carrot plays a vital role. So, before you head to the superstore, keeping few things in mind will make a significant difference. Firstly, do not pick those carrots which are pale in color instead look for bright orange carrots. Secondly, choose the large carrots if you want to prepare dessert from it. It is due to the reason large size carrots taste sweeter than baby carrots. Thirdly, you should also observe the shape of carrots. Do not opt for carrots with the twisted structure or having lots of roots. It indicates those carrots are not in excellent condition.
Storing Carrots
It is true that fresh carrots can deteriorate within a short period. However, with the right handling, you can save it for longer. For keeping the carrots fresh and crispy till 4-5 days, detach the green part from the carrot. After this shift those into an airtight box while submerging them in water. Similarly, when planning to store it for around 4-5 months keep unwashed carrots in the dark and cold place. Preserving it for a year, cut them in half and blanch it and keep it in the freezer.
Handling Carrots
Without any doubt, carrot surrounds with the sand since it a root vegetable. However, washing the carrots before storing it, is beneficial from a health point of view and storage. Place the carrots under the straining bowl and rinse it with cold water. After it, chop off the green part and start peeling it with a sharp knife. Once you have peeled the carrots, remove the tip and stems by placing it on the cutting board. If the carrots are big in size, then make thin slices of it.
Cooking Carrots
Along with the handling and storing tips, you must not neglect the right way to cook carrots. Mostly carrots are either served raw or boiled. Unlike other delicate veggies, carrots do not lose its color while steaming. The ideal boiling time of carrots is 4-6 minutes when cutting into pieces. In this way, you can get real flavor and nutritional value from carrots. Try to eat it as much as possible for a reason; it is a good source of vitamin A.