What is good about dry carrots, how to prepare them correctly and where to use them

Carrots are good for everyone at any time of the year. At the same time, dried in its properties is no worse than freshly picked from the garden. Sometimes a dried vegetable is even healthier - for example, in winter, when root vegetables are no longer seasonal and lack a bright and rich taste. Dried carrots retain their beneficial properties for a long time.

Drying it is not difficult - there are several quick and easy ways to do it.

Is it possible to dry carrots for the winter?

In winter, a person needs more vitamins and beneficial microelements. Dried carrots do an excellent job as a supplier of nutrients. In winter, it will come in handy when preparing dishes, and such a preparation will take up very little storage space.

You should take care of preparing carrots for the winter in the summer. Carrots ripened in the garden during the summer months are the most juicy, tasty, with the maximum amount of nutrients and vitamins. If you dry it in the fall or winter, it will have less benefit and taste, since it will have time to lose its properties.

What are the benefits of dried carrots?

Carrot rich in nutrients, and when dried it retains up to 95% of its properties. No other storage method will give this result.

Composition and beneficial properties

Composition of carrots:

• sugar - up to 15%;
• fatty oils - 0.1-0.7%;
• nitrogenous substances;
• flavonoids are natural plant dyes with beneficial properties;
• enzymes - enzymes, proteins that accelerate biochemical processes in the body;
• sodium - 275 mg;
• potassium - 2540 mg;
• phosphorus - 346 mg;
• magnesium - 118 mg;
• calcium - 212 mg;
• copper - 0.37 mcg;
• manganese - 1.12 mg;
• selenium - 8.6 mcg;
• zinc - 1.57 mg;
• iron - 3.93 mg;
• vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.53 mg;
• vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.42 mg;
• vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - 1.04 mg;
• vitamin B9 (folic acid) - 55 mcg;
• vitamin C - 14.6 mg;
• vitamin E - 5.45 mg;
• vitamin K (phylloquinone) - 108 mcg;
• vitamin PP (nicotinic acid) - 6.57 mg;
• choline - 72.1 mg;
• vitamin A - 3423 mcg;
• vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) - 1.47 mg.

Beta-carotene, which is part of dried carrots, has a beneficial effect on functions of the respiratory system. Once in the body, it is converted into vitamin A, a compound especially important for women's health.

Dried carrots are good for vision, they strengthen the retina, help with myopia and eye fatigue. Constant consumption of root vegetables increases vitality, stimulates regeneration processes, and strengthens the immune system.

The nutritional value

The energy value (calorie content) of dried carrots is 221 kcal.

100 g of dried carrots contain:

• proteins - 7.8 g;
• carbohydrates - 49.2 g;
• fats - 0.6 g;
• ash - 6.84 g;
• dietary fiber - 23.6 g.

Take note:

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How to dry carrots

Harvesting carrots consists of preparing root crops and subsequent drying.

Preparing carrots

For drying, choose medium-sized root vegetables that are young, juicy, and brightly colored. and thin core, early varieties or mid-season:

1. Cut off any remaining tops and small roots, if any.
2. Wash the carrots with a stiff brush to remove clogged clumps of dirt and soil.
3. Start cleaning. For drying large volumes, it is more convenient and faster to use a special vegetable peeler.
4. Remove the green part of the root vegetable.
5. Check the fruit for damage; if there is any, cut it off.
6. Rinse the prepared carrots well.
7. Blanch it in boiling water for 12-20 minutes depending on the size of the fruit. You can also dry unprocessed, raw carrots. However, preliminary heat treatment contributes to better preservation of carotene. Without blanching, dried carrots become pale and lose their taste over time.
8. Check doneness with a toothpick. It will fit into the finished vegetable with little difficulty. Cool the carrots under running cold water and dry with a towel.
9. Then chop the root vegetable on a coarse grater, into cubes, wheels, semicircles or quarters, cubes, and straws.

Drying methods

There are several ways:

• naturally (in the sun);
• in the oven;
• microwave;
• electric dryer.

Let's look at each method in more detail.

In the sun

The best place to dry naturally is an open, dry area away from roads., for example, in a garden or vegetable garden. The prepared and chopped carrots are scattered on a long sieve or tray in a thin layer and placed under the sun. In the latter case, it is stirred once every few days.

Air-solar drying is a long process. High-quality processing will take at least 2 weeks. When the root crop is dry, it is reviewed to eliminate underdried and contaminated pieces.

In the oven

The most common way - drying carrots in the oven:

1. Prepare a baking sheet. It must be dry and clean.
2. Preheat the oven to 70°C.
3. Place the dough on a baking sheet in one layer. If the root vegetable is grated, the maximum permissible layer height is 1 cm.
4. Place the baking sheet in the oven and leave the carrots to dry for 6-8 hours, stirring and turning occasionally to remove moisture evenly.
5. The dried workpiece is cooled directly in the pan and stored.

Carrot turns out fragrant and retains bright color.

Note. While the oven is operating, ensure sufficient ventilation of the room: open a vent or window for ventilation.

In the microwave

Another way to dry carrots:

1. Line a special flat dish for the microwave with paper towels and arrange pieces of prepared vegetables.
2. Cover the top with another napkin.
3. Place a glass of water in the microwave.
4. Dry the carrots on medium power. Set the timer for 3 minutes, then stir the pieces.

The fastest way to dry root vegetables is in the microwave., but due to the small capacity the process will take a lot of time.

In an electric dryer

Electric dryer will facilitate the process of harvesting carrots, but not every home has it:

1. Set the device to the desired temperature - about 60-70°C.
2. Place the chopped vegetables on trays and leave to dry. The process will take a long time - from 6 to 12 hours. This depends on the model of the electric dryer, its power, and the size of the carrot pieces.

In the case of a dryer, study not the recipes, but the instructions for your equipment. Different models require different settings, temperature conditions and timing.

If you do not prepare large quantities of vegetables, then buying an electric dryer is not advisable.

How to check readiness

It is important not to overdry the product. In finished dried carrots, the amount of moisture will decrease by about 15%, but this is difficult to determine by eye, so look at the elasticity of the pieces.

Before you finish drying, try a piece. It should be moderately fragile, but not crumble or stick together. If you are satisfied with the consistency of the product, proceed to sorting.

Uses of dried carrots

Dried carrots used by housewives not only in the kitchen, but also in folk medicine. The benefits of root vegetables have been widely known since ancient times.

In cooking

Having dried carrots in your kitchen is practical and convenient. Already peeled and chopped root vegetables save time when preparing various soups, main courses or warm salads, pies and other preparations, and even when brewing tea. The root crop dries out well and at the same time perfectly restores its properties, as soon as it gets into water or oil.

Dried carrots can be eaten at any time of the year subject to storage conditions. The taste of carrots does not change, as does the taste of familiar dishes prepared with the dried product.

Dry carrots do not require preliminary preparation to be added to the dish - they are added 15 minutes before the end of cooking. If the pieces are small (up to 3 mm), then the heat treatment time is reduced to 10 minutes.

Read also:

How to dry eggplants correctly: 3 best ways

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In folk medicine

In folk medicine, dried preparation used to make vitamin tea.

Carrot tea has the following properties:

• has a positive effect on the respiratory system;
• strengthens the immune system, so it is recommended to drink it during the cold season;
• causes a surge of vigor and energy;
• removes toxins from the body and cleanses the blood;
• improves vision;
• softens and cleanses the skin;
• strengthens hair;
• stimulates appetite;
• eliminates increased gas formation and relieves constipation;
• prevents prostatitis;
• lowers blood pressure.

Despite the large number of useful properties, there are also contraindications to drinking this tea:

• the presence of individual intolerance;
• diseases of the stomach or duodenum in the acute stage;
• pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Vitamins A and E are used in the treatment of seborrhea, increase skin firmness and elasticity, reduce the increased activity of the sebaceous glands, help to acquire an even tan of a beautiful shade.

Important. Drink no more than 1 tbsp. carrot tea a day. Exceeding the recommended amount will cause nausea, vomiting, and headache.

Making vitamin and medicinal tea is easy. It is brewed like regular black. In addition to dried carrots, they add to tea for greater benefits:

• ginger;
• cinnamon;
• honey;
• black currant;
• nettle;
• rose hip.

To prepare tea, pour 2 tbsp. l. dry carrots with boiling water, and then let the drink brew for at least half an hour, wrapping the teapot in a towel. It is allowed to brew tea in a regular thermos. The infusion with additives from berries or herbs is infused for at least 4 hours.

The finished tea is filtered through a fine strainer and drunk, sweetened if necessary with sugar or honey.

Terms and conditions of storage

Store carrots in:

• glass containers;
• wooden;
• plastic containers;
• cotton bags;
• craft bags.

Containers of dried vegetables are stored in a kitchen cabinet or pantry.. From large containers, it is convenient to pour small portions of dried carrots into a spice jar so that it is on hand.It is advisable to put this jar in a closet after use.

As with any dried product, protect carrots from moisture and sudden temperature changes that can wet the outside of the bag or cause condensation to form in the jar. If you take dried carrots with you on a trip, use zipper bags.

Carrots dried for the winter are stored in dry conditions. Rooms with high humidity are not suitable, otherwise it will absorb moisture, resulting in mold and an unpleasant odor.. If all conditions are met, dried carrots will not lose their quality throughout the year.

Reviews

Dried carrots are popular and there are many reviews about their benefits and ease of use.

Anna, Moscow: “An excellent snack for lovers of a healthy lifestyle and not only. The carrots are crispy, not hard, but sweet. For me, this is the perfect snack to take on the go. Naturally, I recommend trying it!”.

Elena, Rostov-on-Don: “When I forget to buy carrots, I always have dried ones; they taste no different in ready-made dishes. And most importantly, there is no need to clean or cut. Just the thing when you’re short on time!”.

Alexandra, Saratov: “Very convenient for soups. There is no need to peel or cut the carrots, just add them to the saucepan. It saves time and doesn’t take up space in the refrigerator. Tastes like regular carrots".

Conclusion

During the cold and cold season, you simply need to stock up on dried carrots. It takes up little space, but brings a lot of benefits. Of course, this is not a panacea for all diseases, but to support the immune system, dried carrots are an irreplaceable option.

This preparation significantly saves time for preparing your favorite dishes. Drying carrots at home is not difficult.