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Our perpetual love-hate relationship with winter is not new. We have forever detested waking up early in this weather. Whether it was for school, a college lecture, or office, your biggest enemy was your alarm clock, and nothing much has changed till now on the front. Thankfully, we have our kitchen all stocked with the best of season’s produce. In my view, winter vegetables are so much better than summer vegetables. Although, anything that replaces lauki and tori from my fridge is good enough for me, but seriously, the sheer range of winter vegetables and leafy greens is mind-boggling. One of my all-time favourite winter vegetables is carrots. Thanks to technology, carrots are available throughout the year, but the deep red carrots, also known as desi gajar, are only available during the winter months. This indigenous variant of carrot is not a hybrid breed, nor is it genetically modified. It also has an inherent sweetness and makes for a juicy addition to anything it is added to.
Did you also know that every part of carrot can be eaten? From the green carrot tops, which can make a rejuvenating tea, to the skins that can be fermented to make kanji. Isn't that so fascinating? Here are five carrot recipes that define winter for us.
Gajar Ka Halwa
How could we possibly start this list without the mention of this iconic dessert from North India? The only cumbersome part about the halwa is the grating of carrots. Once you have that out of the way, you must cook the carrots with milk, nuts, sugar, and cardamom until the carrots are thoroughly cooked. Stop slurping; start cooking.
Gajar Ki Kanji
India has a long association with fermented foods, especially regions like Rajasthan that are not particularly blessed in terms of vegetation. Rajasthan’s pickles and fermented foods prove how the area has mastered the art of zero-waste cooking. Kanji is a popular drink that is popular in parts of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. It is made of both red and purple carrots. The drink also has a hint of mustard that gives it a lovely pungent kick.
Gajar Aloo Matar
This has been one of the most recurring items in my lunchbox in winter. A dry sabzi made with bits of carrots, peas and potatoes rusted up with mild masalas. The sabzi goes best with roti and dal; papad on the side also doesn’t hurt much.
Gajara Chi Koshimbir
A Maharashtrian carrot salad made with shredded carrots, ghee, mustard seeds and more. This light side dish is perfect for cutting through the monotony of heavy winter gravies with its freshness.
Gajar Aur Gobhi Ka Achaar
Winter pickles are another weakness of ours. However, this one is so easy to prepare another reason we cannot have our daily meal without sweet, tangy and spicy achaar nowadays.
There are so many ways in which you can use carrots in this season. You can juice them, blend them in smoothies or use them for making soups. So put your thinking caps on and get started.
