Winter Special: 12 desi carrot dishes to enjoy

The season of carrots is here and as per Sadhguru, carrots are packed with essential nutrients, including enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, that too in an easily digestible and assimilable form, which makes them a winter must-have. They are a good source of fiber and contain vitamin B1, B2, B6, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin K, biotin, potassium, and thiamine. Carrots are also an excellent source of beta-carotene, which helps improve eyesight, prevent cell degeneration, and slow down the aging process. According to a study published by PMC, carrot consumption improves lipid profiles by decreasing circulating triglycerides and oxidative stress markers and the high content of carotenoids and fibers contained in carrots acts as an antioxidant defense enhancer.

While carrots are often mentioned to be red, for the unversed, they come in other shades like orange, purple, yellow, and white as well. The orange ones are easily available and are rich in beta-carotene (vitamin A), which is good for eye health, immunity, and glowing skin. And when it comes to purple ones, they have a deep purple skin, and sometimes orange inside. They are said to be rich in anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that reduce inflammation and support heart health. And the red ones contain lycopene, a compound which helps reduce oxidative stress and supports heart and prostate health. The yellow ones are rich in lutein, which promotes eye health and may protect against age-related macular degeneration as well. And the last one is pale or ivory-colored carrots, which are low in pigments but still high in fiber and antioxidants and are said to be gentle on digestion. Take a look at the dishes.

This is a classic Indian dessert made with grated carrots, which are simmered in ghee along with milk and sugar for hours and is then topped with chopped nuts.

It is a bowl of comfort, which is creamy, spicy, and filling, Made with carrot, capsicum, onion, ginger, and garlic, it is a perfect blend of nutrition and taste that goes well with bread croutons or soup sticks.

This one is for all the weight watchers and those who find cooking taxing. To make this salad, take freshly grated carrots tossed with lemon, spices, and herbs for a crunchy, refreshing side. Also, one can add roasted peanuts and sesame seeds for added crunch and nutrition.

This makes for a healthy breakfast or tiffin treat, where you have to add grated carrot, salt, pepper, ajwain, and green chilli to the dough and roll out parathas. One can also make them stuffed by using finely grated carrots and squeeze out excess water before adding to the dough.

Also known as Gajar ka Achar, it is a tangy and spicy dish, where washed and pat dry carrot pieces are blended with hot mustard oil and masalas like mustard, coriander, cumin, and hing and then preserved by placing them under the sun. They are best enjoyed with rice and paratha.

It is a simple and nutritious curry made with diced carrots and fresh peas, which are sauteed in oil along with onions and then simmered along with spices and water. It is a lightly spiced curry that’s both healthy and comforting.

This goes well with paratha and is made with grated carrot mixed with yogurt and spices.

This is a winter delight, where grated carrots, jaggery, and ghee are cooked together along with ginger powder and then binded into laddoos, which are perfect for winter.

This is also called Gajar Dal Soup, where lentils and carrots are cooked together with minimal spices and served with toast and topping of ghee.

These are moist baked treats infused with grated carrots, nuts, and warm spices, which are baked to perfection and are best paired with coffee or tea.

This is a perfect side dish for a light dinner, where you sauté carrots with spices, mustard seeds, and herbs and other greens like broccoli, capsicum, beans, and even sweet corn.

It is a healthy breakfast treat, where you blend carrots with fruits like apple, beetroot, banana and spices like ginger and cinnamon. The concoction is a warm and vitamin-rich drink perfect for winter mornings.