If you are wondering whether carrot tops are edible – we have the scoop!
If you don’t feel like reading to the end of the article for your answer, then I will simply give it to you now – YES, carrot tops are edible, so you might want to think again before you throw them in the trash bin!
Not only are they entirely edible, but they are really healthy too! There is lots of nutrients in carrot tops which are super good for you like Vitamin C, A and potassium. There are also tonnes of fiber in carrot tops!
And no, they are not poisonous so you won’t die if you eat them. Unless of course you have some kind of allergy.
Are fresh Carrot tops edible? And if so, what should I do with them?
So we have already established that carrot tops are edible. Why would people think otherwise? Well there are three main reasons why.
Firstly, it does not feel natural to eat the green carrot tops as we have been taught to cut them off and throw them in the bin, so eating the carrot tops goes against the grain so to speak.
Secondly, carrot tops tend to have a bitter taste which gives the vibe that you shouldn’t be eating them. The bitter flavor does not necessary mean they are unsafe to eat however. After-all, we consume loads of other foods with a bitter taste including brussel sprouts and kale to name a few.
The third, more scientific reason, that people are under the misconception that carrot tops are unable to be consumed is because they contain alkaloids.
Alkaloids can be toxic if you consume them in large amounts but there is nowhere near enough alkaloids in carrot tops to even fall in the realm of toxic. Remember that nearly every leafy vegetable we consume has a certain level of alkaloid in them.
As you can see all I consume is carrot tops and beer
What can you cook with Carrot tops?
You can cook so many different things with carrot tops! Some of the most popular things you can make with carrot tops include making a carrot top pesto dip, adding them into a soup, putting them into a stir fry or using them in salads.
One of my favorite things to do with my carrot tops is to make them into a super simple carrot top pesto. I have added below my go-top carrot top recipe – carrot top pesto with cashews that will only take you 10 minutes to make!
Personally, I love recipes that will only take 10 minutes or less to make as I become a little irritated after a while cooking.
Easy Carrot Top Pesto with Cashew nuts
Super Simple Carrot Top pesto
- Food Processor
- 1 Bunch Carrot tops washed
- 1 garlic clove
- 100 ml olive oil (extra virgin)
- 50 grams cashews
- a few fingers full basil leaves
- salt and pepper to taste
- a few fingers full crumbly goats cheese (or vegan equivalent)
- 1 cup baby spinach
Steps
- Place the washed carrot tops, cashew nuts, salt, pepper, baby spinach, basil and garlic into a food processor and blitz;
- Slowly add oil until you have a pesto consistency. You can add oil and mix in by hand or leave the food processor running;
- Crumble goats cheese (or alternative) on top;
- Enjoy with bread or crackers.
FAQ re: Can you eat carrot greens
Are carrot tops edible raw? Yes, it is possible to eat carrot tops raw however, the flavor will be more bitter if you consume them raw. I like making a carrot top pesto with raw carrot tops. If you cook the carrot tops, the bitter flavour will be a lot less prevalent.
Are carrot tops safe to eat? Yes, despite many people saying that they are poisonous, they are actually entirely safe to eat.
How do you store carrot tops? I personally make sure I wash them properly and store them in a Tupperware container in the fridge.
What do you do with carrot tops? There are so many different things you can do with carrot tops including add them into stir frys or use them in salads. One of my favorite thing to do with carrot tops is put them into a carrot top pesto. See recipe above.
Should you take the tops off carrots? You can leave them on however, most times dishes use the carrot tops separately.
What are the health benefits of carrot leaves? Carrot tops are a great source of fiber (possibly I would not have to consume Metamucil if I ate more carrot tops!) They also have lots of vitamins and minerals like Vitamin C, A and potassium.
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Bett is living her best Nourished Life which is chemical free and non toxic! I will help you find the best alternatives to help your family be the healthiest versions of themselves!
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