[neil theisen]

How do you store carrots over the winter? Mine go soft right away and then spoil. I throw more out than we use.

[nauticalstar420]

You can freeze them :)

Here's a "how to" on freezing them : Freezing Carrots

Here is some more information on storing carrots, including freezing and drying. Keep in mind that they won't be as fresh as they are when they are first harvested. When frozen or dried, they are best used for cooking.

4. Home Freezing

For home freezing, the best way to blanch carrots is in boiling water. Use a blancher with a basket and cover, or fit a wire basket into a large kettle with a lid.

Use one gallon of water per pound of prepared vegetable. Using these proportions, the water should continue to boil when vegetables are lowered into the water. Put the carrots in the blanching basket and lower into vigorously boiling water. Place a lid on the blancher. Start counting blanching time as soon as the water returns to a boil. Time for whole Carrots is minimum of 5 minutes.

Keep the heat high so that water continues to boil throughout the blanching process. Select young, tender, coreless, medium length carrots. Remove tops, wash and peel. Leave small carrots whole. Cut others into thin slices, ¼-inch cubes or lengthwise strips.

Water blanch small whole carrots for 5 minutes, diced or sliced 2 minutes and lengthwise strips take 2 minutes.

Cool promptly, drain and place in plastic containers, leaving ½-inch head space. Seal and freeze.

Research has shown that microwave blanching is not always an effective method, as some enzymes may not be inactivated. This could result in low-quality frozen vegetables with off-colours, off-flavours and poor texture. If blanching is done in a microwave oven, follow individual manufacturer's instructions. Microwave blanching does not save time or energy.

5. How to dry carrots

Carrots are incredibly easy to dry! Simply top & tail the carrots & then wash & peel. Chop the carrots into 2-4mm slices and then place on the trays of your Ezidri, making sure the pieces aren't touching. Dehydrate at 55 deg C (Snackmaker - Medium) for 10 hours. You can also choose to grate your carrots & create your own dehydrated carrot flakes. These should take between 6 & 10 hours to dry, and should be placed on Mesh Sheets. Carrots are 88% water so they will reduce in size considerably.

You may want to condense the trays a few hours into the drying process. When ready, the carrots should be crisp to the touch with no visible signs of moisture. Dried carrots can be used directly in recipes where they will absorb a lot of water. Another great idea is to place the dried carrot pieces into a food processor and make into a fine powder which is delicious in soups, casseroles, drinks & more. Included in this section is several recipes which make use of Carrot powder - make sure you check them out! To store your carrot pieces, flakes or powder, place in an airtight container in a cool, dry, dark place.

(Source : Growing Carrots - Carrot Cultivation Guidance, hints and tips)

[dranoe1]

How do you store carrots over the winter? Mine go soft right away and then spoil. I throw more out than we use.

Dig a hole 2 feet deep 2 feet wide as long as necessary. Line with dry leaves 6 inches, place carrots on leaves and cover with leaves to 1 foot above grade for an area twice as big as hole. Mark with stake dig fresh carrots all winter. Turnips also . The best carrots you will ever eat.
dranoe1