Many people have fraught relationships with carrots. As children we may have resisted eating them. As adults they are unfairly considered a run of the mill veggie. The carrot is actually a member of the parsley family and it’s the root which is generally regarded as being the edible part. We all recognize carrots for their typical orange colour but increasingly you will find purple, yellow, black, red and white varieties at your grocery store.

If you do a little research you quickly learn that this ubiquitous food has super nutritious values as well as a natural sweetness that compliments every dish. While the carrot’s impact on night vision may have been overstated, it’s high concentrations of alpha and beta-carotene, and vitamins k and B6 do have a positive impact on eye health. Carrots also support heart health, healthy teeth and gums, improved brain health and cognitive function and are a common cancer fighting food. Finally, eating carrots also supports better digestion, can improve hair and skin and can lower the risk of developing diabetes.

So, is it any surprise you find many, many recipes in this space that feature Bugs Bunny’s favourite snack? Read on for advice on a variety of ways to cut and prepare carrots.