7 Ways to Reinvent the Humble Carrot

Carrots are good for more than snacking raw

By SAVEUR Editors
November 2, 2015

So you've snacked on baby carrots with hummus, roasted them whole to serve alongside chicken, sweated them for a saute, and juiced them to give your green juice a hint of sweetness and pop of color. But have you used their tops, mixed their juice with booze, or folded them into a dessert (that isn't carrot cake)? Didn't think so. Here's how to get creative with our favorite orange vegetable.

Turn carrots into a dip

Carrot-Tahini Dip

Carrot-Tahini Dip
Tahini's nutty, luxurious properties don't stop at hummus. Keep the sesame paste flowing with this vibrant, creamy carrot purée. Get the recipe for Carrot-Tahini Dip »Helen Cathcart

Like hummus, but more orange.

And a warm side

Carrots Vichy

Carrots Vichy

In Acheson's update on the French classic, he replaces sugar with maple syrup, subs in fresh herbs for dried ones, and adds chile for some heat. He also likes to stir the chopped carrot tops in at the end of cooking for added flavor.Ariana Lindquist

When you want something classic.

Or an awesome pasta

Pasta with Carrots, Risotto Style

We adapted this recipe from The Minimalist Cooks Dinner by Mark Bittman (Broadway Books, 2001). If you can't find the short, twisted "twin" pasta called gemelli, use penne instead. Get the recipe for Pasta with Carrots, Risotto Style »Farideh Sadeghin

Carrot sauce is the new tomato sauce.

You can also use the tops

Roasted Carrot Salad with Burrata

Roasted Carrot Salad with Burrata
April Bloomfield offers her crazy-good recipe for pan-roasted carrots with carrot-top pesto, shaved carrot salad, and creamy burrata. Get the recipe for Roasted Carrot Salad with Burrata »Ingalls Photography

Don't waste the tops—turn them into pesto.

Or even make a drink

Carrots 43 Martini

Carrots 43 Martini

Lively and floral, this cocktail uses all fresh ingredients so it feels like you're getting your vitamins in while enjoying a nice drink. Get the recipe for Carrots 43 Martini »Farideh Sadeghin

Get a little Vitamin A with your booze.

Plus, they're perfect for cakes

Spiced Carrot Layer Cake

Spiced Carrot Layer Cake

Orange juice and zest, cinnamon, and ginger add verve and depth to this sumptuous cake.Todd Coleman

We all already knew this...

But are also good in non-cake desserts

Punjabi-Style Carrot Pudding (Gajar ka Halwa)

Punjabi-Style Carrot Pudding (Gajar ka Halwa)
Studded with chopped nuts and flavored with aromatic cardamom and rose water, this sweet Indian pudding is made from a blend of nutty ghee, milk, cream, sugar, and grated carrot. It's equally good served either hot or cold. Get the recipe for Punjabi-Style Carrot Pudding (Gajar ka Halwa) »Ingalls Photography

But this one's fun.

Latest

Boozy and Easy
Saag Paneer Is the Luscious Indian Comfort Food You Need
Pretzel and Sausage Dressing
Lalla Rookh Pie
Seattle Scotch Is A Thing. And It’s Good.
Confit Turkey Legs
Saag Paneer (Spinach with Fresh Indian Cheese)
Banish Kitchen Clutter with Five Genius Fridge Organizers
Hot Legs: Now’s The Perfect Time To Make Turkey Confit
ADVERTISEMENT / ADVERTISE WITH US