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Try a New Vegetable: Maroon Carrots

Kelly Rossiter, Toronto

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By Kelly Rossiter
Toronto, Canada | Sun Mar 23 17:21:00 EDT 2008

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I realize that carrots aren't new to you, but these maroon carrots are pretty odd looking to our eyes. My adult daughter, who at the age of 4 spied an artichoke and just had to try it, thought they looked creepy. We are so used to that brilliant orange that these carrots come as something of a surprise.

According to the Web site Carrot Museum, purple carrots have been around since Egyptian times. The Romans had white carrots, as well as purple ones. It was apparently the 16th century Dutch who bred the carrots we know in honour of the House of Orange. When I saw them in my local grocery, I just had to try them and see if they taste different.I cooked them in a bit of olive oil and just sautéed them until they were softened, so that I could get the real taste of the vegetable and nothing else. They do taste different from orange carrots, but in a way that is hard to put your finger on. My husband suggested that they had a smoky flavour, and for want of a better term, I'll go with that.

I was quite surprised when I cut into them to see the vivid orange at the centre of the carrot.

Photo credit: Roberta Taylor

As far as I can tell you can cook them just as you would any carrot. Try them out on your family, and see if they can figure out what the heck you are serving.

Difficulty level: Easy

 
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