February is here and winters are approaching their end. With the slight warmth of the sun still managing to have us basking outdoors, we are headed for the scorching heat of the sun and our refrigerators missing the colorful veggies of the winters.
Carrots are one such super veggie. Loaded with minerals, vitamins and fibre, this pink colored root is much loved by kids and adults alike and is a total bundle of flavour and nutrition.
Let’s quickly get to the health benefits of carrots!
Nutritional Value of Carrot
The two most abundant nutrients in carrot are beta carotene and Vitamin A. While most of you must be aware that the lovely pink color of carrots is due to beta carotene, not many know that carrots also derive their attractive pigment from zeaxanthin in part.
Besides beta carotene, vitamin A and zeaxanthin, carrots are an amazing source of lutein, vitamin K and dietary fibre.
The National Institute of Nutrition suggests that 100 gms of red carrots include 38 kcal, 6.7 g of carbs, 1 g of protein, 0.5 g of fat, 5 gm of total fibre, 7 mg of vitamin C, 451 mcg of vitamin A, and 2706 mcg of beta-carotene.
Health Benefits of Carrots
Aids Weight Loss
If you have been wanting to lose weight, carrots are a big yes! Being high on dietary fibre and low in calories, carrots give you a full feeling for a long time after consuming them. This also helps you evade from the habit of binge eating. A high fibre content ensures good bowel movement and thus great metabolism- the basis of weight management
Great Vision
Carrots have been known since long back, to be helpful with visual disturbances. Not that you can go places without your specs after consuming carrots, but you can surely cut down your chances of landing into serious eye issues like glaucoma, retinopathies and night blindness with carrots in your plate!
The superfood for Diabetics
Carrots are super low in sugar. This makes them an ideal food for those grappling with Diabetes. The low glycemic index of carrots imparts a mild natural sweetness to them and makes them absolutely safe for consumption as part of a diabetic diet.
The Seasonal Availability of Carrots: How to derive their benefit all the year round?
So winters ensure an abundance of carrots and we have an array of dishes that include this beautiful pink veggie. But if carrots are so healthy, is it possible to store them for consumption in summers too?
A big ‘no’ is the answer that most of you would give here. But here’s the good news!
You can enjoy the benefits of carrots in summers too!
Yes People! While carrot pickles is what many of you would imagine here, the fact is that pickle form of carrots is not worth it as carrots lose their very essence when made into a pickle. Additionally the huge amounts of salt and oil used in preparing pickles, make them unfit for mindful eating.
Then what is the way out?
Carrot Kanji: The Way to Delicious Nutrition from Carrots in Summers
Before we proceed to the preparation of this water based decoction, let’s understand how Kanji is beneficial for your body!
Benefits of kanji
Detoxifies the body
A rich source of antioxidants, vitamin C and a lot of spices and condiments make kanji a wonderful detoxifying agent. A bonus is the pool of antioxidants which aid the process of detoxification. If you are looking for some detoxification, Kanji is the drink for you!
Getting rid of worms
A generous use of ginger, mustard seeds and red chilli ensures flushing out of worms or their larvae and eggs from the system. While children may not relish the strong taste of Kanji, an adult is sure to get rid of worms with a daily drink of Kanji.
Gut cleanser
Loaded with probiotics, spices like asafoetida, kanji makes for a great gut cleanser. Plus, we have just talked about carrots having a significant role in maintenance of metabolism.
Improves appetite and digestion
Having kanji alongside food has been known to improve one’s appetite. Its savoury flavour from ginger, asafoetida, carrots and mustard stimulates the secretion of gastric juices which have a foundational role in making you feel hungry and additionally makes the regular food palatable.
Immune booster due to presence of rai and hing
The mustard seeds used in kanji and asafoetida are both known to boost immunity and protect your body from infections and other harmful stimuli. Additionally, Kanji is very high on antioxidants like beta carotene, vitamins A and C with a pool of potassium, manganese and fibre. Did you know you could navigate your way through the flu with just a daily dose of Kanji because it is so rich in vitamin C??
How to Prepare the Refreshing Drink called Kanji?
So here’s what you need to prepare Kanji.
Ingredients:
- Black/ pink carrot 500 grams
- Rai 3 tablespoons
- Salt 1 teaspoon
- Black salt 2 teaspoon
- Black pepper powder 1 teaspoon
- Red chilly powder 1 teaspoon
- Asafoetida ½ teaspoon
- Boiled water 3 litre
- Glass jar/earthen pot 4 litre capacity
- Wooden spatula For mixing
- Ginger 1 inch piece grated (optional)
Let us quickly get to the process.
Method
1. Wash peel and chop carrots into 4 pieces lengthwise and make 1 inch pieces. Keep aside
2. In a bowl, mix all the spices
● Rai 3tbsp
● Salt 1tsp
● Black salt 2tsp
● Black pepper powder 1tsp
● Red chilly powder 1 tsp
● Asafoetida ½ tsp
3. Put carrot pieces in the jar or pot and add the mixture of spices
4. Use a wooden spatula to mix them all well
5. Add warm (not boiling) water to it. Mix gently once again
6. Close the mouth of this jar with a muslin cloth and tie it around the neck of the jar to keep it tight
7. Place this jar in the sun and leave it as it is for at least 4 days
8. Do remove it from the open area at nights to avoid rain, moisture or excessively cool air
9. Open on the 5th day.
Kanji is ready.
Also Read:
6 Beetroot Recipes- The Superfood that Boosts Immunity, Fights Anaemia and Cleanses Liver