What are Table Carrots? The #1 Best Answer!

Carrots are root vegetables with a huge variety of cultivars. The most common color of this vegetable is bright orange, but modified types boast deep purples, gorgeous yellows, and different shades of red and black.

This beta carotene-rich root belongs to the Apiaceae family (scientific name: Daucus carota). This family includes cultivated species and the wild carrot as well. In this article, we will discuss one of the many cultivators of this genus, i.e., table carrots. 

What Are Table Carrots?

Table carrots are cultivars of regular carrots. They are highly nutritious, packed with flavor, and don’t need peeling before serving. This variety of carrots is crispier, easier to snap in half, and relatively sweeter. The base flavor of a table carrot is earthy with undertones of celery. The foliage on this type of carrot is also entirely edible. The flavors are similar to that of parsley or cilantro. Moreover, this delicious variation can be used in recipes just as well as its basic counterparts.

Some Fun Facts About Table Carrots

• Table carrots are also biennial. They first grow taproots and then set seeds the following year. Beta-carotene is so abundant in this vegetable that the word Karoton was named for it.

• Table carrots are slowly gaining popularity among Americans as carrots are the fourth most consumed vegetable here. The first non-wild cultivar was grown in Afghanistan.

• Carrots have over a hundred types, and table carrots are one of them. This delicious snack contains vitamin A, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium.

• Table carrots are significantly smaller and thinner than the average carrot. Moreover, if you are thinking of juicing away those pounds, this is the perfect variety.

• You can add this to a salad, cook up some honey-glazed table carrots for a delicious Thanksgiving feast or enjoy them raw! The texture is perfect for anything.

Plant Compounds in Table Carrots

Table carrots are also rich in plant compounds besides the abundance of vitamins and minerals in this delicious vegetable. 

These compounds are primarily antioxidants that fight aging, heart diseases, cancers, and other immunity-related disorders. 

The absorption of these compounds, however, depends on several factors. For instance, eating table carrots with healthy fat increases the absorption of beta-carotene.

Here is a list of compounds table carrots are rich in:

Polyacetylenes

These are bioactive compounds that help prevent certain cancers such as leukemia.

Lutein

Lutein is an eye-healthy compound primarily found in orange table carrots.

Alpha-carotene

The human body converts this compound into vitamin A, much like beta-carotene.

Lycopene

This antioxidant is mainly present in darker-colored varieties of the table carrot.

Beta-carotene

Cooked table carrots are dense in this compound. When cooked, the body absorbs six times more than the usual amount.

What Is the Difference Between Table Carrots and Regular Carrots?

Now that we have established the nutritional prowess of table carrots, it’s time to understand how these differ from their primary specie. Even though both the types are equally delicious, and table carrots are also orange, there are some minor differences between the two.

Table carrots are a ‘snackier’ version of the carrot. The elevated sweetness of the table carrot makes it ideal for a raw mid-afternoon snack or juicing diet.

The earthy flavor is rather muted and the growing and harvesting method is different from that of a regular carrot. The skin does not change the vegetable’s taste, and the leaves add a subtle parsley-like flavor to the mix.

On the other hand, regular carrots have thicker foliage that has a robust earthy flavor and, in most cases, is discarded. The skin is thick, and often roots are visible around it. These carrots also don’t have the same sweetness as table carrots.

Keep in mind to clean your table carrot properly before eating them with skin and foliage. 

Now That You Have Cleaned These Delights, What Next?

You can do more besides a thorough wash and dry for eating these yummy vegetables raw. Try some of these recipes that I enjoyed this month.

Candied carrots

Yes, these are as scrumptious as they sound! The crispy texture of table carrots makes them ideal for this recipe.

Step 1

All you need to do is cut up the carrot into fries and then toss them into a thick citrus sauce. 

Step 2

Depending on the volume of carrots, take some butter (yes, olive oil is fine), add honey or maple syrup, some lemon juice, and boil it down.

Step 3

Once the sauce thickens up, add the carrot fries, toss them and let them soften slightly. Cut the foliage and sprinkle on top before serving.

Sauteed Table carrots

Imagine eating your vegetables without spending three hours in the kitchen. Fortunately, table carrots do half the job for you.

Step 1

Dice the carrots anyway you like.

Step 2

warm up some olive oil, add some garlic paste (yes, premade from the jar is okay).

Step 3

sauté everything for a few minutes and you are done! 

The Air Fryer Roast

Ah! the air fryer is the greatest invention since the conventional oven. Table carrots are perfect for an air fryer recipe.

Step 1

Instead of roasting carrots in the oven and risking them losing their crunch. Just add a parchment paper to the fryer. Put some cut-up or clean whole carrots in.

Step 2

Then sprinkle some flaky salt (which makes a difference), some pepper, and some olive oil spray. Let them roast for about 4 or 5 minutes, and voila!

Step 3

Perfectly roasted, crisp edges and a splash of lemon to finish it off.

Make a Salad

The good thing about table carrots is the lack of effort you need to make them edible.

Step 1

Wash up the carrots and dry them out. Then grate them and add them to a bowl.

Step 2

Next, take some peanut butter, lemon, pepper, and salt, mix them up and add them to the shredded carrots for a quick salad.

Step 3

Yes, it’s inspired by pad Thai, and you can always crush up some peanuts to add crunch.

Smoothie

Yes, you read that right! Table carrots have the perfect texture and flavor for this recipe.

Step 1

Add apples, pineapple, frozen bananas, orange juice, and ice to a blender.

Step 2

Then add some chopped-up table carrots, and you have the most refreshing smoothie on your hands.

Frequently Asked Questions About What Are Table Carrots