Purple Carrot Recipes For You To Try At Home

What are Purple Carrots? 

Did you know that purple carrots, the first carrots ever cultivated, are highly nutritious and healthy? Purple carrot recipes are therefore healthy, easily adaptable for many dishes, and easy to prepare. In terms of taste, purple carrots have an intensely sweet flavor. Compared to other carrot colors, there is a subtle variation in flavor which is most notable when eaten raw. Find out more on making the best meal out of them below.

How are Purple Carrots Grown?

Purple carrots are pretty easy to grow. They are a great way to add color and extra nutrition to your meals. Purple carrots have similar soil and growth requirements to regular carrots and can produce a high yield when adequately taken care of. However, purple carrot seedlings do not transplant well, so it’s best to plant purple carrot seeds directly in your garden.

It is necessary to ensure your soil is well-drained and does not contain any lumps or small rocks. Lumps or small stones might cause your purple carrots to grow crooked. Raised garden beds are ideal for growing purple carrots, especially in hard, clayey soil. To improve the nutrient retention quality of the soil, it is advisable to apply compost before planting. 

The best soil for growing purple carrots is light and sandy with high organic matter and perhaps a small number of wood ashes for potassium and to counteract any excess acidity. Adding fertilizers to your purple carrots can help them along. Ensure the fertilizers you use are not high in nitrogen since high nitrogen fertilizers encourage the purple carrot tops to grow big, but they don’t help the root growth. 

Use a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium but low in nitrogen. This will help promote root growth. The best time to plant purple carrot seeds is from spring to fall in areas with mild temperatures and from fall to spring in warm climates. 

Purple carrots do best when they grow in cool weather. To plant your carrots, sprinkle the seeds in a row about 1/4 in (about ½ cm) deep and 1 in (2.5 cm) apart. The seeds should germinate in approximately ten days after planting. Ensure to keep your seedlings well watered and add mulch around the plant to retain moisture and reduce weeds. 

What Makes Purple Carrots Different From Other Varieties?

What makes purple carrots different from other varieties is the fact that they possess anthocyanins which act as powerful antioxidants. As a result, purple carrots have a higher amount of antioxidants than orange carrots, and they also contain anti-inflammatory properties. This could make them very useful in the treatment of diseases like arthritis. In addition, purple carrots have antiviral, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties, and they also contain anticarcinogens and beta carotenes. 

They help to reduce the risk of cancer. They are also excellent at fighting against viral and bacterial infections, such as measles, flu, stomach disorders, and oral and urinary tract conditions. Purple carrots contain high doses of Vitamin A, which helps prevent clogging of the arteries and thus helps to prevent strokes. 

Along with that, purple carrots also contain vitamins B, C, and E. They are also an excellent source of fiber, and they help to lower cholesterol levels. They are also instrumental in the prevention of macular degeneration.

Purple carrots are also beneficial for weight loss. They can be eaten raw or cooked. This gives you a satiated feeling for an extended period as it induces hormones that provide a sense of fullness. In addition, they are low-calorie, low-fat, and high-fiber, which helps speed up metabolism and help with passive fat burning. 

Purple Carrot Recipes to Make at Home

Roasted Purple Carrots with Black Sesame Dukkah

Time: 40 minutes
Serving size: 6 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes

Nutritional Facts/Info per serving/in total:

Purple carrots have a nutrient profile similar to other carrot forms, with a few key differences. Purple carrots are a rich source of dietary fiber, potassium, manganese vitamin C, and other vitamins. 

They also contain a low level of calories (25 calories per cup). In terms of antioxidants, purple carrots are particularly rich in anthocyanins, which are antioxidants shown to protect against heart disease, mental decline, and diabetes.

Per serving, this dish contains approximately 160 calories with the following breakdown; protein 2.8g; carbohydrates 15.6g; dietary fiber 4.8g; sugars 6.8g; fat 10.4g; saturated fat 1.4g; vitamin a 22496.6IU; vitamin c 8.7mg; folate 29.5mcg; calcium 59.3mg; iron 0.9mg; magnesium 26.9mg; potassium 495.7mg; sodium 239.9mg.

Equipment Needed

1. Skillet
2. Platter
3. Oven
4. Table and teaspoon
5. Baking sheet

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (907g) of purple carrots (quartered lengthwise if large)
• 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 4 cloves of peeled garlic
• ¼ teaspoon of salt plus 1/8 teaspoon, divided
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• ¼ cup of  finely chopped unsalted pistachios
• 1 tablespoon of black sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of ground coriander

Directions

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and preheat your oven to 400 °F (204.4°C)
2. Place the purple carrots, garlic, and thyme on the prepared pan. Sprinkle with two tablespoons of oil and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. 
3. Toss to coat evenly.
4. Roast until the carrots are tender but not browned for about 25 minutes. Discard the thyme.
5. Heat a small skillet over low heat to prepare the dukkah. Add pistachios, sesame seeds, coriander, cumin, and 1/8 teaspoon salt.
6. Cook, constantly stirring, until warm and fragrant for about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
7. Arrange the purple carrots and garlic on a platter. Sprinkle with the remaining tablespoon of oil and drizzle with the dukkah. Serve warm.

Carrot Hummus

Time: 15 minutes
Serving size: 8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes

Nutritional Facts/Info per serving/in total:

Purple carrots contain many nutrients that help improve your health and well-being. Garbanzo beans are also a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Chickpeas also offer a variety of health benefits, such as helping in weight management, improving digestion, and reducing your risk of disease. 

In addition, garbanzo beans are high in protein and help make this side dish balanced in terms of nutrients. This purple carrot side dish recipe enables you to prepare meals that contain 59 calories per serving, specifically; protein 2.1g; carbohydrates 7.9g; dietary fiber 1.6g; sugars 1.7g; fat 2.3g; saturated fat 0.3g; vitamin a  963.1IU; vitamin c 3.2mg; folate 23.9mcg; calcium 18.4mg; iron 0.6mg; magnesium 12.6mg; potassium 95.1mg; sodium 116.6mg.

Equipment Needed

1. Blender or food processor
2. Mortar and pestle (in case you don’t have a food processor)
3. Table and teaspoon
4. Bowl
5. Saucepan or steamer basket
6. Knife

Ingredients

• 1 can of garbanzo beans (drained)
• 1/3 cup of olive oil
• 2/3 cup of tahini
• 3 carrots (steamed & chopped)
• 2-3 zest & juice lemons about 1/3 cup of lemon juice
• 2 cloves of garlic (chopped)
• 1 teaspoon of cumin 
• 1 teaspoon of  kosher salt

For Toppings 

• Veggies, chickpeas, nuts, seeds, fresh herbs, olive oil, and/or spices.

Directions

1. Add the garbanzo beans, tahini, carrots, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, cumin, and salt in a food processor or blender.
2. Slowly sprinkle in the olive oil with the motor running and blend until smooth.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, or salt if necessary.
4. Serve in a bowl with toppings (optional). 

Purple Parmesan Potato Chips

Time: 26 minutes
Serving size: 4 servings
Prep time: 11 minutes
Cook time:  15 minutes

Nutritional Facts

Purple potatoes contain essential nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, which can help with weight loss, immunity, and heart health. Purple potatoes also contain anthocyanins, pigments in the potato that give it the purple hue and serve as antioxidants. 

They protect your cells from oxidative damage and may reduce your risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Parmesan cheese is nutritious, even when consumed in small amounts. Cheese is an energy-dense food due to its protein and fat content. This means that it provides a high number of calories per serving. Cheese also provides many essential nutrients for bone health, including calcium, phosphorus, and zinc.

Parmesan cheese is virtually lactose-free. It is, therefore, an ideal choice for the lactose intolerant. In addition, its high protein content makes it a perfect choice for people who follow lacto-vegetarian diets. 

Equipment Needed

1. Smart oven with baking stone attachment
2. Mandoline
3. Large bowl
4. Oven

Ingredients

• 2 purple potatoes (large)
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt (flaked)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Place the smart oven + baking stone attachment in the oven. Select stone bake mode and preheat to 400°F (204.4°C)
2. Slice the potatoes with a mandolin and place them in a large bowl. Cover with cold water. 
3. Stir, drain and repeat the process until the water is clear. Cover potatoes with clean water and ½ cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, up to two hours. Drain the water and pat to dry.
4. Toss the potato slices with olive oil and season with salt. Arrange the potato slices in a single layer on a preheated Baking Stone.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes until crisp. Remove from baking stone and sprinkle with salt and parmesan cheese.

Getting Carrot Away!

Purple carrots are impressive, and they provide unique health benefits specific to purple fruits and vegetables (because they contain anthocyanin). Even though all carrots are highly nutritious, purple carrots are especially rich in powerful antioxidants, which help the body fight inflammation. Purple carrots are also low in calories. 

Replacing high-calorie, processed foods with more purple carrot meals and other vegetable-based dishes helps lose weight.

Purple carrot meals made from the best purple carrot recipes are easy to make and are rich in  Vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is beneficial for the eyes and especially night vision. In this regard, purple carrots are even more beneficial for the eyes than their orange counterparts. Purple carrots also contain nutrients like fiber and potassium. 

The potassium in the purple carrots helps keep your blood pressure in check, and the fiber helps you stay at a healthy weight and lower your chances of heart disease.

Purple carrots are easy to grow, given the right soil conditions and proper care. They are frost-hardy, and cold winter temperatures actually make them sweeter by stimulating sugar production in the roots. Finally, as a bonus, purple carrot prepared meals are colorful and quite flavorful!