Do You Have to Peel Carrots Before Eating or Cooking Them?

Are unpeeled carrots safe? Do you have to peel carrots before eating or cooking them? What happens if you don’t peel carrots? How do you clean carrots without peeling them? We shall answer all these questions and will give you some useful tips how to store carrots.

Do You Have to Peel Carrots?

This is the most important question when eating or cooking carrot. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Since the skin of carrots contains a higher concentration of nutrients, there are many people who do not peel them. Are unpeeled carrots safe? It should be noted that just like zucchini skin, carrot skin is edible. However, carrots, like many other vegetables, are often treated with pesticides, so they must be carefully cleaned in order to remove pesticide residues. One thing to keep in mind is that carrot skin may be a bit bitter and you may feel that when you roast the vegetables without peeling them.

Are Unpeeled Carrots More Nutritious?

When it comes to the question of peeling carrots, we need to ask ourselves about the peel itself. Some vegetables should not be peeled, since the skin contains the most useful and necessary nutrients for our body. Are all of a carrot’s nutrients in the peel? The benefits of carrots are well known. They are rich in carotene – a substance that, when ingested by the human body, is transformed into vitamin A, vitamins B, E, K, ascorbic acid, minerals like potassium, phosphorus, iron, copper, iodine, zinc, chromium, nickel and fluorine.

There is no reason to peel carrots before cooking, because the skin of the vegetable is very thin and almost not felt. It is in the peel (as well as in the upper layers of the pulp) that antioxidants and vitamin A are concentrated and when you remove the skin you remove some of the nutrients.

How Do You Clean Carrots Without Peeling Them?

To prepare carrots for consumption or processing, it is enough to wash them well under running warm water. If the vegetable is too dirty, you can additionally rub it with a brush or the hard side of the sponge. Of course, if you want to peel your carrots, simply use a vegetable peeler.

Can You Use Carrot Peels?

Sure, you can use carrot peels. Instead of throwing them away, you can freeze them and use them for preparing vegetable stock, soups, smoothies, etc.

In conclusion, we have to say that the answer to the question do you have to peel carrots is very simple – it is up to you! Some people do not like the taste of the skin while others hardly make a difference. When properly cleaned from dirt, carrots can be used unpeeled for purees, carrot cake, stews, etc.