Balsamic Glazed Carrots
When your farmer asks you if you want the tops of your carrots, make sure that you say “Yes!”. Wondering about what to do with carrot tops? This is your opportunity to use the whole plant. Carrot tops are a great substitute in any recipe for herbs, like parsley.
Carrots are one of the staples in our refrigerator. I can get three to five bunches at the farmer’s market and we will still run out before the next weekend. Our horse, of course, eats quite a few. This is one of those vegetables that is mandatory that you get organic. Those “other farmers” spray pesticides that get on the stalks and leaves, making them unhealthy for you to eat. So, if you ask can I eat carrot greens, your answer is yes, if they are organic.
You have probably heard that carrots are good for your eyes. Your body transforms the beta-carotene in carrots into Vitamin A which is good for eye health. Carrots have antioxidants which are good for your heart and can lower your risk of cancer. And the carrot greens have their own benefits, they are high in Vitamin K.
Like radish greens and beet greens, you need to thoroughly rinse the carrot tops. Soaking them in water is the best way to get any residual dirt off. Taking the top off the carrots is easy, but to get the leaves off the stalks, you can close your index finger and thumb around the stalks and strip off the leaves. The stalks can be used in making your vegetable stock. If you are not using them right away, you can blanch the greens, dry them and store them for later use. Be sure to use an ice bath to keep the greens from getting over cooked. This will also mellow out the slight bitter flavor of the greens.
The uses of carrot tops are extensive. You can make a carrot top pesto, carrot top chimichurri, carrot top risotto, sauté them with garlic, chili flakes and drizzle on some lemon vinaigrette, or add them to a veggie burger. is a classic Italian garnish usually made dry with chopped parsley, lemon zest, and garlic. You want to zest the lemon right on to the carrot tops. The garlic gets minced on top of the greens and lemon zest as this will allow all the flavors to blend as you are chopping. When you substitute in the carrot tops, be sure to add a little salt. You can sprinkle on a salad or potatoes as a seasoning or in soups. Garnish your salad like you would with parsley.
