SELECTING CARROTS

Ok, we have all bought the carrots in the cellophane bags. But how do you really select a fresh carrot? At your grocery store you will have several varieties to choose from.

Try to walk past all the bagged carrots and go to the ones that are waiting to be selected. Take a look at each one.

They should be clean and smooth and very brightly colored.

Try to avoid carrots that have been trimmed or have and green or yellow streaks.

Once you get them home, trim off the tops so that there is only about 1/4 inch or so of green on top. Rinse them well and dry.

Place into a clean tighly sealed plastic bag, do not re-use the one from the store.

Place in the vegetable compartment of your refrigerator, but do not store near apples or pears. Apples and pears let off ethylene gas that can make the carrots taste bitter.

You should be able to keep carrots fresh for about 3 weeks. If you notice them getting soft it means that they have lost too much moisture. You can still use these cut up in small pieces in soups or stews.