Recipe – Vegetable Split-Pea Soup

The Carrot

It’s Good for You.

The carrot is a root vegetable first grown in Afghanistan around 900 AD. While it is known best for its orange color, it also comes in other hues, including purple, yellow, red, and white. Early carrots were purple or yellow, but the orange carrot was developed in Central Europe around the 15th or 16th century.

The carrot is a popular and versatile veggie. Its taste can vary slightly depending on the color, size, and where it’s grown. Sugar contained in carrots can give them a slightly sweet flavor, but they also can taste earthy or bitter.

One serving of carrots is a half cup and has:

  • 25 calories
  • 6 grams of carbohydrates
  • 2 grams of fiber
  • 3 grams of sugar
  • 5 grams of protein

Carrots are a great source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as potassium, calcium, iron and fiber.

The carrot offers many health benefits. It is rich in beta-carotene which keeps our eyes healthy, protecting them from the sun and reducing the risk of cataracts and other eye problems. The yellow carrot contains lutein and has been found to help prevent macular degeneration.

Antioxidants have been proven to reduce the risk of developing cancer and the carrot contains two antioxidants: carotenoid and anthocyanin. Carotenoid gives the carrot its orange and yellow colors, while anthocyanin is responsible for its red and purple coloring.

These same antioxidants are also good for the heart and the potassium found in the carrot helps keep blood pressure in check. The fiber in a carrot helps maintain a healthy weight and also lowers the chance of heart disease.

WebMD by Angela Nelson (Medically Reviewed by Hansa D. Bhargava, MD on September 10, 2020)

Recipe – Vegetable Split-Pea Soup

Ingredients

2 quarts water

2 cups dried green split peas

1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

¼ tsp. ground thyme

1 whole bay leaf

Salt to taste

1 package golden George Washington Broth or 1 tsp. McKay’s Chicken-Style Seasoning

Process

  1. Rinse peas thoroughly in fine strainer under cold water, picking out debris and any blemished peas. Prepare vegetable as directed.
  2. In large pan, combine all the above prepared ingredients and bring to a boil for 20 minutes. Cover and let simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.