Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Wednesday's Helping: Carrots

More than Bug’s Bunny’s orange treat
Did you know that carrots also come in red, white, purple, and yellow? Look for a sweet, refreshing, and almost minty taste in ripe carrots. The colorful and edible root grows entirely underground. The plant has feathery green stems and leaves that grow above ground. It’s known scientifically as Daucus carota and is related to cumin, fennel, caraway, and parsnips. There are more than 100 varieties of this vegetable, which can range in length between several inches and three feet. The plant originated in Asia and the Middle East region. The vegetable gained popularity in 17th Century Europe and spread to the American Colonies in the 1800s. On today’s U.S. market, carrots are available all year long from farms in California. The ideal growing season elsewhere in the United States is May through July. Carrots possess the highest amount of Vitamin A among vegetables and this helps promote good eyesight. Other compounds in carrots help fight cardiovascular disease.

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