Moroccan Carrot Salad by Way of Israel Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

How long to boil fresh carrots? ›

Cook carrots in a large pot of boiling water until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Strain carrots, leaving just enough of the cooking water to cover the bottom of the pan; set carrots aside. Stir in brown sugar and butter; simmer and stir until butter melts.

Fill a medium wide-mouthed pot with 2 inches of water. Set a collapsible steamer basket insert into the pot, then bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Put the carrots in the steamer basket and cook, covered, until tender when pierced with a knife, about 8 minutes.

Bottom Line. Whether you decide to peel a carrot or not is up to you. From our tests, there is perhaps only one time when it makes sense to always peel; that is, when you're steaming. The peel of steamed carrots can be tough, dry, and extra chewy.

Third, don't overfill the pot. Water takes a long time to heat because of its high heat capacity. You'll save time and money by using just enough water. Note: It's recommended that you add root vegetables to cold water, but wait for a boil with others.

No matter which way you cook them, carrots are a healthy choice. Steaming is a slightly better pick since the carrots don't lose as many of their nutrients to the water. (Steaming is also more environmentally friendly since it uses less water.)

Another study showed both boiling and steaming increased levels of beta carotene. But try to cook carrots whole, as cutting can reduce nutrients by 25%. Wait and wash veggies just before cooking to preserve nutrients. In fact, cooking veggies whole is often the best choice to preserve nutrients.

The technique is simple: fill a medium pot with 1/2 inch of water, place three golf ball–sized balls of aluminum foil on the bottom, rest a heat-proof plate on top of the foil balls, cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil. Add vegetables to the plate, cover, and steam until crisp-tender.

Don't overcook the carrots: Boil them until they're just tender. They lose their amazing crunch if you overcook them. Add salt to the boiling water: (Not-so) secret tip: season your carrots with salt while they're cooking to really up your flavor game.

Place the carrots in boiling water. Blanch the carrots for 5 minutes, starting when the water returns to a boil. Drain the hot water and run cold water over the carrots for 4 to 5 minutes. Or you can microwave the carrots in a bowl with water and covered with a lid or a plate on high for 2 minutes.

Add the carrots to the container, making sure they are completely covered with water. If you don't plan to eat the carrots within a few days, you will need to periodically change out the water to inhibit bacterial growth. Rinse the carrots and replace the water every 4–5 days.