The Great Ways To Use Canned Carrots
Canned carrots are carrots that have been peeled, washed, cut, and preserved. Below is a list of some of the great ways that you can use canned carrots.
When Making Salad
NB: First, rinse the canned carrots in order to reduce sodium.
Canned carrots can be used when making salads. One of the best salads that pair well with canned carrots is pasta salad. All you have to do is to start by cooking the pasta. Once it is ready, place it in a bowl and then toss your canned carrots together with other ingredients that you might want to use for your salad.
When Making Carrot Cake
Making carrot cake using canned carrots is simpler when compared to using fresh carrots. This is because you don’t have to go through the trouble of grating the carrots. When using canned carrots all you have to do is mash the carrots since they will already be pre-cooked. Substitute fresh carrots with canned carrots at a ratio of 1:1 when making carrot cake.
When Making Smoothies
Making smoothies in the morning is a great way to start the day! They are filled with a lot of nutrients and vitamins that are needed by the body.
To make a smoothie using canned carrots all you need to do is combine the canned carrots with bananas, orange juice, and ice cubes. Remember to rinse the canned carrots before placing them in the blender in order to get rid of the excess salt found in canned carrots.
When Making Soup
This is one of the easiest and best ways of using canned carrots. All you have to do is to rinse the canned carrots with water before adding them to your soup. It is important to note that canned carrots cook faster than fresh carrots so might need to add them at a later stage or you risk eating mashed up carrots in your soup.
When Making Mashed Potatoes
Canned carrots pair well with potatoes so you can always cook them together and then mash them up. Your mashed potatoes will have more flavour and colour to them. Furthermore, the mashed potatoes will be packed with vitamins and nutrients!
When Making A Stir-Fry
This is also another great way of using canned carrots; you can use canned carrots as a substitute for fresh carrots in stir-fries but make sure that you have drained all the preservatives and rinsed the carrots so that your stir fry does not end up being too salty.
How To Store Canned Carrots
An unopened jar of canned carrots can be stored in the pantry at room temperature and it will last for more than a year. However, once a jar or can of canned carrots has been opened you need to transfer the contents into a glass jar or a plastic container.
The next step is to store the canned carrots in a refrigerator. Canned carrots that are stored in the refrigerator can last for 3 to 4 days, so you need to use them within that time frame.
How To Make Canned Carrots At Home
Making canned carrots at home is a great way of preserving carrots for a longer time. Firstly, make sure that you have all the equipment that is needed, and choose small to medium-sized carrots to use as they are much easier to work with.
The Equipment Needed:
A pressure canner with canning rack, canning jars, lids for the jars, jar lifter, large pot, knife, peeler, and kitchen towels.
Step 1:
Start by washing the canning jars together with the lids. This helps to get rid of any bacteria.
The next step will be to put the jar rack into the pressure canner and then set the jars inside. Let the water simmer for 10 minutes while you prepare your carrots
Step 2:
Take your small to medium-sized carrots and then wash and peel them. Cut them into small pieces and remove the stems
Step 3:
Once you’re done with the cutting, put your carrots in a large pot and add water. Let them boil until they reach a temperature of 180F/82C. Once they have boiled, you should lower the heat and let your carrots simmer for about 5 minutes.
Step 4:
Take the canning jars from the canner and drain the water before placing your cooked carrots inside. Fill the jars with carrots, but make sure you leave a 1-inch headspace.
Add canning salt to the jar. This will help to preserve the carrots for a longer time.
Step 5:
Place the lid on top of the jar and add the band on top of the lid. Screw the lid until it is nice and tight.
Step 6:
The last step is to process the jars by bringing the canner to a boil over medium to high heat. You can follow the directions on your pressure canner to see how many minutes you need to take while processing the jars.
When the processing is done, remove the jars from the canner and let them cool down. Label the jars with the date and store them in a cupboard for up to 12 to 18 months.
Conclusion
Canned carrots can be used in many ways and they are a good substitute for fresh carrots. So the next time you make a carrot-based dish, you may wish to use a canned carrots (either store bought or home-made), instead of fresh ones.
