Carrots are usually harvested in the winter season. Summer carrots in India have a light orange colour that makes them distinct from the red ones that we get during the colder months of the year. However, it is not just the appearance that differs. These two varieties are different in taste too, making certain carrots suitable for certain dishes.
For instance, Gajar Ka Halwa is best made with the winter produce to lend the dessert a bright colour and a mildly-sweet flavour. Similarly, these carrots can be added to your breakfast table too. How, you ask? Well, all you need to do is grate them and then stuff them in your parathas, dosas, idlis, and more. Has your brain started thinking of ideas already? Don’t stress because we’ve got a list of yummy breakfast options that come packed with the goodness of carrots.
1. Carrot Paratha
Peel and grate the carrots to get fine strands. Mix it with cumin seeds, ginger, onions, and coriander leaves. Sprinkle some salt for taste and roll out a dough of wheat flour for the paratha. Stuff the carrot mix in it and roll it into a round shape again. Toss on a tawa and serve hot with achaar and curd.
2. Carrot Idli
The steamed rice cakes from South India are a delicious breakfast staple loved across the country. All you need is rice flour batter, mixed with urad dal and dunked into an idli maker to be steamed. Once the cakes are ready, garnish them with grated carrot and serve alongside coconut chutney, mint-coriander chutney, and sambar if you like.
3. Carrot Pancakes
The fluffy, round pancakes are prepared with a thick and smooth batter. To this, add some grated carrots, minced onions and garlic. This gives your pancakes a savoury touch. Once all of this is mixed together, drizzle some oil and pour your pancake mix in it such that it gets a round shape. Cook from both sides and pair with a sauce.
4. Carrot Dosa
Prepare the dosa batter, which is a type of South Indian crepe, with rava and water. To this, add some curd and make it thick. Once the batter is ready, pour on a tawa and make it thin and crisp from both sides. Stuff it with grated carrots, onions and green chillies. Wrap it into two halves to form a parcel-like shape and serve hot and crisp.
5. Carrot Cake Waffles
The crunchy and zig-zag shaped breakfast items also double up as a dessert. Made in both sweet and savoury forms, this one is a sweet version which is rich in fibre and totally vegan and gluten-free too. The waffles are made with almond milk and coconut flour and topped with grated carrots and blueberries.