Besides their reliable spot on your classic veggie platters, carrots are an integral part of many cuisines, especially when used with onion and celery to build solid flavor, sweetness, and depth to any dish they’re added to. Here are a few of our favorite carrot recipes, perfect for Yom Tov or any time of year.

24–Carrot Gold

Home Grown

If you plant a carrot, it won’t produce a new carrot but rather a carrot plant. Carrot seeds come from the flower of the plant, which can then be planted to grow new carrots.

Flower Cousins

Carrots are closely related to Queen Anne’s lace flowers, which can also be called wild carrot or bird’s nest flowers.

Namesake

Carotenoids, the antioxidant molecules that produce red, orange, and yellow pigments in many plants, are named after carrots, not the other way around.

Roasted Grapes and Carrots

Recipe by Estee Kafra

I love this recipe. It always surprises people when I tell them what they’re eating, and it adds so much color and fun to an elegant plate.

SERVES 6

• 2 cups red seedless grapes
• 1 cup green seedless grapes
• 1 16-oz (450-g) bag baby carrots, sliced in half lengthwise
• coarse salt
• black pepper
• dash cayenne pepper
• dash allspice
• oil, to coat (approximately 2–3 Tbsp)
• 1 large handful fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped
• whole sesame tahini, for drizzling (optional)

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Place the grapes and the carrots in a large bowl along with the spices and oil. Mix everything together and spread on a lined baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes.

Add parsley and toss. Serve warm or at room temperature alongside meat or chicken.

Drizzle with whole sesame tahini, if desired, before serving.

Variation: For a slightly different taste, heat 1 Tbsp oil in a wok and add 2 cubes frozen garlic. Add sugar snap peas and stir-fry over high heat. Toss into the carrot and grape mixture. Serve warm.

Note: Please check with your rav before preparing this dish for Rosh Hashanah, as some people refrain from eating grapes on this Yom Tov.

Bright and Fresh Slaw

Recipe by Michal Frischman

This quick and easy slaw can be prepped and ready in just a few minutes.

SERVES 8

• 1 carrot
• 2 Persian cucumbers
• 1 8-oz (225-g) bag shredded red cabbage
• 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1½ tsp Dijon mustard
• 1½ tsp honey
• 1½ tsp olive oil

Peel the carrot, then peel both cucumbers and carrot with a julienne peeler (or slice into julienne with a sharp knife). Toss with cabbage.

Combine vinegar, mustard, honey, and oil, and toss with vegetables right before serving.

Best-Ever Carrot Loaf

Recipe by Rivky Kleiman

This carrot loaf is a winner, whether you’re preparing in advance or find yourself in a bind and need a quick, no-mess side dish. It yields a perfect loaf every time…and guaranteed you’ll have no leftovers.

SERVES 10

• 1¼ cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup grated carrots (1–2 carrots, peeled and grated)
• 1¼ tsp baking powder
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• ¾ cup oil (canola or vegetable)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).

Using a wooden spoon, combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour into a greased loaf pan.

Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out almost clean.

Tip: If you’re short on time, you can use a bag of shredded carrots.

Variation: This recipe works very well with shredded zucchini, too.

(Originally featured in Family Table, Issue 811)