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How to grow great carrotsBy Jackie Clay-Atkinson

Issue#153May/June,2015

Carrotsareanoldtimehomesteaderfavorite.Theycanbefrozen,canned,dehydrated,orsimplystoredinacoollocation.

Theyarenutritious,too,beingagreatsourceofbetacarotene(vitaminA),folate,andvitaminK.Carrotsrankwellfortheirmineralcontent:calcium,phosphorus,potassium,andmagnesium.Carrots'tracemineralsarefluoride,manganese,zinc,selenium,andcopper.TheyalsocontainOmega3andOmega6fattyacids.

WealwaysincludeatleastfourrowsofcarrotsinourgardenandIusuallywishIplantedmore.Admittedly,theycanbealittletrickytogetgoingbutI'lltellyouafewofmysecretssoyou,too,cangrowgreatcarrotseverysingleyear.

Carrot historyToday'scarrotsareafarcryfromthewildcarrot(Daucuscarota)fromwhichitwasbredanddomesticated,althoughdomesticcarrots(Daucuscarotasativa)canandwillcrosswithwildones(QueenAnne'slace).Thousandsofyearsago,farmersworkedtorefineandimprovethewiry,thin,hairy,forked,andoftenbitterwildcarrotrootintoalarge,smooth,sweet"new"rootvegetable.

DomesticcarrotswerefirstgrowninAfghanistanwaybackinthe10thcentury.Thesecarrotswereusuallypurpleandyellowlikethe"new"specialtycarrotssoldincatalogstoday.Theyweresoontradedandmovedintoothercountries.ButitwastheDutchwhodominatedthecarrotbreedingworld,givingusabountyofcarrotvarieties,mostofabrightorangecolor.

ColonistsbroughtcarrotswiththemtotheNewWorld.OurthirdPresident,ThomasJefferson,anavidgardener,grewseveralvarietiesofcarrotsatMonticello.

Todaywehavehundredsofchoiceswhenitcomestochoosingcarrotvarietiesforourgardens.

Here'soneofourScarletNantescarrotsrightoutoftheground.Nothingbeatshomegrowncarrotsforflavor.

Types of carrotsTherearemanytypesofcarrotswithmanycolorvariations.Herearefourofmyfavorites.

ChantenaycarrotsoriginatedinFrancemorethanahundredyearsago.Thiscarrothaswideshoulderstaperingtoalong,pointedroot.Itgrowswellinmostsoils,especiallyheavierclaysoilswherethinnercarrotsfailtogrow.TheChantenaycarrothasgoodsweetflavorandisadependableproducer,storingwell.AmongmyfavoritesofthistypeistheJapaneseKuroda,whichcanmaturetoaverylarge,sturdysizedcarrot.Iusebigchunksofthese,cannedup,forusewithpotroastsandinheartystews.OtherChantenaycarrotsinclude:ShinKuroda(OP)andRedcoredChantenay(OP).

Nantescarrotsarecylindrical,withnopointedroot.Theymatureatabout7incheslongandare

usuallyveryeasytoharvest.Thesehavegreatflavorwithsmallcoresandareamongmyfavoritestocanasthecarrotsareaboutallthesamesizeandsliceupverynicely.SomeNantescarrotsinclude:Yaya(hybrid),ScarletNantes(OP),Nelson(hybrid),Bolero(hybrid),andNapa(hybrid).

Imperatorcarrotsareyourregularsupermarketcarrotlongandthin,oftengrowingto10to12inchesinlength,taperingtoagradualpoint.Theyareverysweetandproduceagoodcropbutaredifficulttogrowinveryrockyorheavyclayground.Commercially,theyaregrownindeep,blacksoilwheretheycanbepulledwithoutbreakingoffthelowerpartoftheroot.SomeImperatorcarrotsare:Cosmicpurple(OP),Tendersweet(hybrid)andSugarsnax(hybrid).

DanversHalfLongcarrotsareheirloom,originatinginDanvers,Massachusetts,backin1871.Theyareashort,taperedcarrot,growingabout8incheslongandhavingrelativelythickbodiestaperingtoapointed,yetnotslim,tip.ThesecarrotslooklikeacrossbetweenChantenayandNantesvarieties,broadintheshouldersandshortinstature.Thesecarrotsaresweetandtheystoreverywell.

Selecting varieties to growWhatkindofsoildoyouhave?Ifitisheavyclaysoilorhasn'tbeenworkedupwell,stayawayfromImperatortypecarrotswithlong,slenderroots.Theseeitherwon'tdevelopproperlyorwillbreakwhenyoutrytoharvestthem.Oftenyou'llendupwithcrooked,hairyroots.Instead,chooseavarietysuitedforyourheavysoil,suchasDanversHalfLongorChantenay.IgrewDanversHalfLongsinmyfirstyeargardenbackinSturgeonLake,Minnesota.Wehadsolidredclay(downeightfeetormore)andIdon'tthinkanyorganicmaterialhadeverbeenworkedintothegarden.Iplantedmycarrotsandmanagedtogrowacrop.ButwhenItriedtoharvestthecarrots,Icouldn'tpull,dig,orevenshovelthemout.Ihadtobringthetractorandsinglebottomplowintothegardentoplowmycarrotsoutoftheground!

Luckily,carrotsarenotbotheredbyfreezing,soyoudon'thavetoworryaboutthelengthoftimetheytaketomatureunlessyouwanttostorecarrotsoverwinter.Thenchooseavarietythatisalongmaturingtypesoyou'lljustbediggingmaturecarrotsbeforeafreeze.

Carrotseedsarehardtoplantbecausetheyareverysmall.Soifyoucan'ttakethetimetoplantthosetinyseedsevenly,considerbuyingpelletedseeds,offeredinsomecatalogssuchasJohnny'sSelectedSeeds.Thismeansthatthetinycarrotseedisencasedinawhiteclaypelletthatisquiteabitlargerandmucheasiertoseeandhandle.Youcanplantthemevenlyaloteasier,reducingstressandlaterthinning.Althoughpelletedseedsdocostalotmore,theyarestillanexcellentinvestmentforfolkswithpooreyesightorimpatientnatures.(Don'tjustsprinkleseedsdownarow,rightoutofthepackageitwastesseedsandmakeslaterthinningextremelydifficult.)

Ourfriend,Jeff,showsjustafewofhisgreatcropofcarrotsfromhisextensiveraisedbedgarden.

Preparing the soilBecausecarrotscantakefrostandfreezing,alotofpeople(oftenthoseonedayplanters)goaheadandplanttheircarrotseedsveryearly.Oftenthesoilhasnotbeenworkedupenoughandwell.Ascarrotseedsaresotiny,thesoilneedstobeworkedupsotherearenoclodsorclumpsthesoilshouldbesmoothandfine.Mixinabitofwellrottedcompost.

Wedon'tplantourcarrotsultraearly.Wewaitandtilltheareaseveraltimes,notonlybreakingupanyclodsorsoilclumpsbutkillingtiny,germinatingweedsintheprocess.Thispayshugedividendslateron.Firstofall,carrotsgerminatebestinsoiltemperaturesofaround5580degrees.Atthosetemperatures,carrotswillstartpoppingupinaslittleasaweek.Butatcoolertemperatures,itmaytakethreeweeks.It'sbesttobealittlepatientandsowyourcarrotseedsasthegroundwarmsup.

Planting your carrot seedsAfterthesoiltemperaturehaswarmedup,markyourrowswithstickspoundedintothegroundoneitherendwithasturdystringstretchedbetween.Withahoe,makeashallowtrenchdownyourrow,underthestring,aboutinchdeep.

Shakeoutsomecarrotseedsintoyourpalmandpickupseveralseeds.Gentlysprinklethemoutin

yourrowsotheseedsendupaboutinchapart.Slowlyworkyourwaydowntherowuntilalloftheseedsareinthetrench.Thengobackandcoverthemwithaboutinchofsoil.Withthebackofthehoe,gentlypatthesoilovertheseedsdownfirmly.Don'tmashitdownyoudon'twanttocompactthesoiloritwillmakeithardforthegerminatingseedstopiercethesurface.

Onceplanted,leaveyourrowmarkerinplaceuntilgerminationoccurssoyoudon'tloseyourrow.Thenwateryourrow.Keepthesoilofyourcarrotrowsevenlymoistuntilthecarrotsareupandgrowingnicely.

Ithinkthisistheonemostimportantthingfolksfailatandthus,don'tgetanicelygerminatedrowofcarrots.Thoseseedsareverysmall,remember,andastheygerminate,iftheydryoutevenforafewhours,theydie.Besurethecarrotrowsstaymoist,butyoudon'twantthegroundsoggyorwettothepointwherewaterisstandingaround.

Youcanhelpyourcarrotseedlingsbyputtingafloatingrowcoveroveryourrows.Notonlydoesthishelpholdinmoisture,butitalsowarmsupthesoil.

Ifyouhaveanoldergardenorawellcaredforraisedbed,youcanplantyourcarrotsinmultiplerowwidebeds.Thismakesgreatuseofgardenspace.Toplantmultiplerows,simplymarkyourcarrotrows,leavingonlyaboutfourinchesbetweenrows.Ifindthatthreerows,closelyspacedlikethis,worksbestasyoucanreachthecenterofyourplantingfrombothsides,makingthinningandweedingmucheasier.

Care of your carrotsOnceyourcarrotshavegerminated,you'llsoonseesometiny,twoleafedplantsemerginginarow.Theleavesarelongandflat,pointedindifferentdirections.Theseareyourlongawaitedcarrots!Don'tstopwateringnow.Thisisthesecondreasonfolks'carrotsfailtheyquitwateringrightaftertheyseenewgrowth.Keepthoserowsevenlywateredsothesoilstaysmoist.

Thethirdmostcommonreasonforcarrotfailuresisweeds.Carrotseedlingsaresotinyandtender,theycannotcompetewithweedsonebitatthisage.Keeptherowbetweenyourcarrotplantingstilledorhoedcleanofweeds.Thengodownyourcarrotrows,pickingupeachtinyseedlingweedandpoppingitintoabucketsoitwon'trootelsewhereinyourgarden.Yes,itdoestakesometimeweedingnewlygerminatedcarrotseedlings.Butit'sworthit,comeharvesttime.

Whenyourbabycarrotsgettwosetsoffernyleaves,it'stimetostartthinningthem.NowIabsolutelyhatethinningcarrots.IfeellikeI'mthrowingawayfood.Earlyinmyhomesteadlife,Itriednotthinning,feelingsorryforthelittlecarrots.ButInevergotanicerowofbigcarrotslikeMomgrew.SoIstartedthenastyjobofthinningandsoonIwasgrowingnicebigcarrots,too.

No,carrotsdonottransplantItriedthatonetoo.Justpullthemoutandtossthembetweentherows.Youwantyourcarrotstoendupaboutaninchaparttostartwithsotosstherest.

Afterthecarrotsaresturdyandaboutsixoreightinchestall,Imulchtherowswithstraworseedfreegrasshay.Makesureitisseed/weedfreeoryou'llgrowafinecropofweedsorgrassrightinyourgarden.

Laterinthesummer,youcangobackandharvestafewcarrotsforbabycarrotsandsnacks,takingouteveryothercarrotdowntherow.Thisletsyouharvestwhileleavingroomfortheremainingcarrotstogrow.

Besuretokeepyourcarrotswellwateredallsummer,especiallyduringhot,dryspells.

Harvesting your carrotsYoucaneitherstartpullingsomecarrotstoputupassoonastheyreachmaturesizeorwaituntilafewfrostshavecomeandgoneanddigthewholebunch.Personally,IstartharvestingearlierandbegincanningsoIdon'tbecomeoverwhelmedatfrosttimewhenI'mmadlyputtingupcropsthatdon'tholdwell,suchassweetcorn.

Ifcoldstorageisyourstoragemethodofchoice(andyouhavegoodstoragefacilities)waituntilfrostsandfreezingthreatenbeforeharvestingyourcarrots.

Inmilderclimates,youcanevenmulchpartofyourcarrotrowanddigcarrotsrightthroughthewinter.HereinnorthernMinnesota,thisisnotanoptionasthegroundfreezeshard,mulchornomulch.

Ifyoursoilisloose,youcanusuallyharvestyourcarrotsbyjustpullingfromthetopsthecarrotswillpoprightoutoftheground.Butifyou'rebreakingthetopsofforfindingpartofthecarrothasbrokenoffbelowground,it'sbesttouseaspadingforknexttotherowtoloosenthesoilbeforepulling.Thenyou'llharvestwholecarrotswithease.

NotonlydoIcanupsliced,whole,andchunkedcarrotsbutIalsoincludecarrotsinmanyofmymixedrecipestocan.Hereisamixofdicedcarrots,

peas,andsweetcorn.

Freezing carrotsFreezeonlynicelymature,fresh,crispcarrotsrightoutofyourgarden.Limp,old,partlydriedcarrotsneverfreezewell.

Firstwashthecarrots,scrubbingawayanyclingingsoil.Cutthetopsoffaboutaninchintothecarrot,removinganygreenpart.Thisgreenresultsfromthecarrotheavingoutofthegroundasitgrowsandbecomingexposedtosunshine.Wipeoffanyrootlets.Scrubwithagreennylonpotscrubberorpeel.(Unpeeledcarrotshavegreaterflavorandmorenutritionthanpeeledcarrots.)

Cutthecarrotsintoslicesandholdincoldwatertokeepthemfresh.Getapotofwaterboilingonthestoveandhavealargebowloficewaterready.Draincarrots,thenboilthemforaboutfiveminutestoblanch,thendrainandplungeintotheicewatertoquicklycoolthemdown.Carrotsshouldbeblanchedtohaltenzymeactivityandkillanybacteriathatmaydestroyflavor.

Packcooledcarrotslicesintoafreezercontainersuchasafreezerziplockbag.Removeasmuchairaspossible.Ifyoudon'tgetoutmostoftheair,thecarrotswon'tstayfreshinthefreezer.Forthisreason,usingaFoodSavervacuumpackerisawonderfulideacarrotswillremainfreshtastingmonthslongerinthefreezer.Frozencarrotswillremaingoodinyourfreezerfor914months.

Canning carrotsCarrotsareextremelyeasytocan.Youcanputupmanypintsofcarrotsinanafternoon'seasywork.Andonceproperlycanned,carrotswillremaingoodinyourpantryfordecades.

Icanmycarrotsinwhole/halves,largechunks,andslices.InearlyalwayscanmycarrotsusingtherawpackmethodasitgoesfastandIgetdonesooner.

Raw pack:Cutoffthetopsandrootendofthecarrots,thenscrubandrinse.Scrapeorpeelthecarrots,thenrinseanddrain.Slice,dice,cutintochunks,orleavesmallcarrotswhole.Packtightlyintohotjars,leaving1inchofheadspace.Addtsp.salttoeachpintand1tsp.toeachquart,ifdesired.Pourboilingwaterovercarrots,leaving1inchofheadspace.Removeairbubbles.Wiperimofjarclean.Placehot,previouslysimmeredlidonjarsandscrewdownringfirmlytight.Processat10poundspressureinapressurecanner:pintsfor25minutesandquartsfor30minutes.(Ifyouliveatanaltitudeof1,000feetormore,consultyourcanningbookfordirectionsonincreasingyourpressuretosuityouraltitude.)

Afterpressurereturnstozero,carefullyremoveweight/openpetcock,thenremovethelid.Lethotjarscoolonafoldedtowelinadraftfreelocation.Whenthoroughlycool,checkseals.Ifthelidisindentedandhasnogive,thejarissealed.Removeringandwashjarswithhot,soapywater.Dryjars.Storeonyourpantryshelves.

Hot pack:Preparecarrotsasforrawpack.Placecarrotsinlargepot.Coverwithwaterandbringtoaboil.Simmer5minutes.Packhotcarrotsintohotjars,leaving1inchofheadspace.Addtsp.salttoeachpintand1tsp.toeachquart,ifdesired.Pourboilingcookingliquidoncarrots,leaving1inchofheadspace.Continueasperrawpack,processingat10poundspressure,pintsfor25minutesandquartsfor30minutes.

Ialsocancarrotsinmixedvegetablecombinations.Themixesgiveyougreatvarietyinyoursoups,stews,casseroles,andsidedishes.Carrotstastegreatpickled,too.Hereareafewrecipesforyoutotry:

Sweet pickled carrots10lbs.small,tenderyoungcarrots

1qt.vinegar5cupssugar

Spicebag:

1Tbsp.stickcinnamon1Tbsp.wholecloves1Tbspwholeallspice1Tbsp.mace

Scrapeyoungcarrots.Sliceorleavewhole.Makeaspicedsyrupofremainingingredients,simmeringfor15minutesinalargekettle.Pourboilinghotovercarrotsinanotherlargepot.Coverandletstandovernight.Inthemorning,bringtoaboilandboil5minutes.Removespicebag.Packhotinhotjars,leavinginchofheadspace.Ladleboilingsyrupovercarrots,leavinginchofheadspace.Removeairbubbles.Wiperimofjarcleanplacehot,previouslysimmeredlidonjarandscrewdownringfirmlytight.Processfor15minutesinaboilingwaterbathcanner.

Carrot relish12mediumcarrots5sweetgreenpeppers1sweetredpepper6mediumonions2Tbsp.celeryseedcuppicklingsalt6cupssugar6cupswhitevinegartsp.cayennepepper

Peelcarrots,removeribsandseedsfrompeppers,peelonions.Putallvegetablesthroughameatgrinderusingacoarseblade.

Inalargepot,heatspices,sugar,andvinegartoboiling.Addgroundvegetablesandsimmerfor20minutes.Packhotrelishintohot,sterilizedjars,leavinginchofheadspace.Wiperimofjarcleanplacehot,previouslysimmeredlidonjarandscrewdownringfirmlytight.Processfor15minutesinaboilingwaterbathcanner.

Dehydrating carrotsDehydratingyourcarrotsathomeissimpleandfast.Allyoudoiswashandpeel(ifdesired)yourcarrots,removingtopandrootend.Sliceordiceyourcarrotsandplaceinaholdingbowlfullofcoldwater.Bringalargepotofwatertoboil,thenboilcarrotsfor3minutestoblanch.Drain,thenplaceinalargebowloficewater.Oncecool,drainyourcarrotswell.

Laythemoutinasinglelayeronyourdehydratortraysotheydon'ttouch.Dehydrateat125135Funtilleathery.Switchyourtraystokeepdehydratingevenly.Youmayalsodehydrategratedcarrotsusingyourfruitleatherorscreentrayinserts.Trytosprinklethegratedcarrotsoutsotheyformaloose,singlelayerthatisn'tpiledup.Idon'tblanchtheseastheydryveryquickly.

Whenfinisheddehydrating,storeyourcarrotsinanairtightcontainer.Besuretocheckforthefirstfewdaystomakesurethereisnocondensationinsidethecontainerindicatinginsufficientdehydrating.Ifthereis,pouroutontoyourtraysanddehydrateafewhourslonger.

Dehydratedcarrotswillremaingoodnearlyforever.

Storing fresh carrotsIfyou'reongrid,agoodwaytostorecarrotsistoputasecondrefrigeratorinyourheatedgarage,basement,orporch.Thenpackyourcarrotsinventilatedplasticbagsandplaceinasinglelayerinthefridge.Youcanalsostorelimitedamountsoffreshcarrotsthesamewayinyourkitchenrefrigerator.Carrotslike3440Fwithhighhumidityforlongtermstorage.

Ihaveasmallpropanerefrigeratorwithnoroomtostorecarrots,sowestoreoursinourunheatedbasementpantry/rootcellar.AfterIpullourcarrots,Icutoffthetopsandfeedthemtothegoats.ThenIletthecarrotssitinthegardenforafewhoursonadryday.ThiswayIcanbrushoffmostofthedirtandthelittlehairrootsdryup.Icarrythemdowntothebasement,toalargeinsulatedcoolerthathasbeendisinfectedwithbleachwateranddried.Ilaythecarrotsinthecooler,inrowsandlayers.Nodamagedcarrotsareputintocoldstoragethoseareeitherdehydratedorusedimmediately.Ourbasementisunheatedandstaysaround40Fallwinter.IcheckthecarrotseverytimeIuseafew.Ifthecondensationisgettingheavy(drips)onthebottomofthelid,Ipropthelidopenaninchorsoforafewdays.Ifitgetstoomoistinthere,thecarrotswillrottoodryandthey'llshrivelup.

Anotherwaytostorecarrotsistolayertheminaboxwithsandsprinkledwithwatertojustbarelydampenit.Alayerofsandisplaced,thencarrots,thensand

Sourcesforcarrotseed

Ifyouwishtogrowsomeofthemorecommonvarietiesofcarrots,youcanfindseedsatyourlocalstore.Butifyouwanttotrysomeoftheoldheirloomvarietiesoroneofthedifferentcoloredcarrots,hereareafewsourcesforseed:

BakerCreekHeirloomSeeds2278BakerCreekRoadMansfield,MO657044179248917www.rareseeds.com

FedcoSeedsP.O.Box520Waterville,ME0490305202074269900www.fedcoseeds.com

SandHillPreservationCenter1878230thStreetCalamus,Iowa52729www.sandhillpreservation.com

SeedSaversExchange3094NorthWinnRdDecorah,Iowa521015633825990

untiltheboxisfull,endingwithsandandacovertopreventevaporation.Thisworks,butitrequiresalotofsandandliftingsoIdon'tdoitanymore.Our"plain"carrotsstorejustfinewithoutallthefuss.

Seed savingCarrotsproduceanediblerootthefirstyearfromseedbutdon'tproduceseeduntilthefollowingyear.Forthisreason,manyfolksdon'tevenconsidersavingcarrotseeds.But,infact,it'squiteeasy.Chooseanopenpollinatedvarietyinsteadofahybrid.Althoughhybridswillproduceseed,manytimesthecarrotsproducedfromtheseseedsdonotresembletheparents.

Inmilderclimates,youcanjustleaveafewcarrotsrightinthegroundtosaveoverwinterforseedstock.Incoolerclimates,youmayhavetomulchthecarrotstoprotectthemfromseverefreezing.Butincoldclimates,likewehavehere,themostdependablewaytosaveseedstockcarrotsistoharvestthem,storeoverwinter,thenreplant,comespring.

Oneproblemwithsavingcarrotseedisthatifyouhaveanabundantwildcarrot(QueenAnne'sLace)populationnearyourgarden,thewildcarrotswillcrosswithyourdomesticcarrots,leavingyourseedstoproducewiry,bitter,gnarlywhitecarrots.Topreventthis,youcantakeapairofscissorsandclipalloftheflowersfromtheQueenAnne'sLacewhenyourcarrotsareabouttobloom.

RecipesHereareafewrecipesusingcannedorfreshcarrots.

Flemish carrots

6mediumcarrots,scrapedorpeeled,cutintothin,2inchstrips2Tbsp.butterormargarinetsp.salt1tsp.sugarcupwatercupcream1tsp.lemonjuice

Inasaucepan,sautcarrotsinmeltedbutterormargarineabout5minutes.Stirinsalt,sugar,andwater.Simmer,covered,untilcarrotsaretender.Addcreamandlemonjuice,stirringuntilacoatingforms.Serve.

Candied carrots

8mediumcarrots,scrapedorpeeledor1quartcannedcarrotslices,drainedwatertoboilifusingfreshcarrots2Tbsp.butterormargarinecupbrownsugar

Slicefreshcarrotsandsimmerinboilingwateruntiltender.Drainoffmostofthewater,savingaboutcup.(Ifusingcannedcarrots,drain,reservingcupliquid).Addbutterandbrownsugartocarrotsandsimmer,covered,forabout10minutes.Removecoverandcontinuecooking.Theliquidwillcookdown,leavingthecarrotscoatedwithaglaze.Besuretostirthemsotheydon'tscorch.Serve.

Carrot cake

2cupssugar1cupoil4eggs1tsp.vanilla2cupsflour1tsp.bakingsoda2tsp.bakingpowder2tsp.cinnamon3cupsshreddedcarrotscupchoppednuts(optional)

Mixsugar,oil,eggs,andvanillabeatuntilsmooth.Inaseparatebowl,mixdryingredients.Slowlymixdryingredientsintothesugar/oilmixture.Foldinshreddedcarrotsandnuts,thenpourbatterintotwolightlygreased8x8x2inchcakepans.Bakeat350Ffor30to35minutesoruntilatoothpickinsertedinthecentercomesoutclean.Letcoolfor5minutes,thenturnoutoncakerackstocoolthoroughly.

Frosting:

8oz.creamcheesecupbutterormargarine1cuppowderedsugar1tsp.vanilla

www.seedsavers.org

Parsnips

Oftenconfusedwithwhitecarrots,parsnipsarenotcarrotsbutanothergoodtoeatrootcrop.Unfortunately,parsnipshavegottenanameforbeingfinickytogrow,soalthoughtheyhaveawonderfulflavorandarehardyinthegarden,notmanypeoplegrowthem.

Parsnipsareshapedlikeacarrot.Theleaveslooksortoflikelargeleafedparsleyandtheseedsareflatandlarge.Theyaresweet,earthy,andtender.Plus,theystorejustaswellascarrots.

Tohavesuccesswithparsnips,simplyfollowtheplantingtipsI'vegivenforcarrots:workupthesoilwell,don'tplanttooearly,keeptherowmoistuntilgermination,andkeeptherowweedfree.Withthiscare,parsnipswillthriveinnearlyallgardens.

Parsnipsdotakelongertogerminatethancarrots,butifyouwaituntilthesoiliswarmerandkeepthoserowsmoist,theyshouldpopupinabouttwoweeks'time.Incoolerweather,theysometimestakeuptothreeweekstogerminatesodon'tgiveup.Parsnipsaredefinitelyworththewait!Andtheyarefrosttolerant,sotheygrowwelleveninshortseasonclimates.

Parsnipsaresweetestifharvestedafterafewfreezes.Infact,folksinmilderclimatesoftenleavetheirparsnipsinthegroundallwinter,pullingthemwhenneededforameal.Sautedparsnips

8parsnips,scrubbedwellandcutintothickstrips2Tbspbutterormargarinetsp.saltwatertoparboil

Inamediumfryingpan,addaboutoneinchofwater,salt,andparsnips.Turnheattomedium,andcoverandparboiltilltender.Drain.Addbutterandkeepheatatmedium,fryinguntilnicelybrownedonallsides.Donotletpangettoohotandscorchthebutter.

1tsp.lemonjuice

Mixcreamcheeseandbutter(bothatroomtemperatureworksbest),thencreamwithpowderedsugaruntilfluffyandsmooth.Addvanillaandlemonjuice.Mixagainverywell.