Produce Briefs...
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime, scientific name, X Citrofortunella mitis & Citrus microcarpa, is also known as the lime orange, Chinese orange or Calamondin orange.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Pinkglow™ Pineapple
Pinkglow™ pineapples are small to medium fruits with an oval to cylindrical shape.
Description/Taste
Uzbek carrots vary in size and appearance, depending on the growing environment, but generally maintain a thick, stout, and cylindrical to conical shape tapering to a blunt point on the non-stem end. The skin is semi-smooth, firm, and bright orange to yellow, and underneath the surface, the flesh is pale orange or yellow, crisp, and dense with a small to medium-sized, round central core. Uzbek carrots, when raw, have a crunchy, snap-like quality with a mildly sweet and earthy flavor. When cooked, the roots develop a soft and tender texture maintaining earthy, sweet notes.
Seasons/Availability
Uzbek carrots are available in the late summer through winter.
Current Facts
Uzbek carrots, botanically classified as Caucus carota, are short, thick roots that belong to the Apiaceae family. There are many different varieties of carrots that are grown in Uzbekistan varying in size, appearance, and flavor, and many of these cultivars are often labeled generally as Uzbek carrots in local markets as a way to simplify the buying process. Uzbek carrots are also exported to neighboring countries such as Kazakhstan and are marketed purposely as Uzbek carrots in foreign markets, as Uzbekistan is known for producing quality and flavorful produce. There are both foreign and domestic varieties encompassed under the Uzbek carrot name, with some of the most popular varieties being Mirzoi or Mirza Yellow, Mirzoi or Mirza Red, Mshak, and Nantes. Uzbek carrots are valued by commercial growers and home gardeners for their compact size, durability, long storage life, and resistance to disease. The roots are favored as an everyday ingredient and are utilized in a wide variety of both raw and cooked applications.
Nutritional Value
Uzbek carrots are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which are antioxidants that can help improve vision, rebuild collagen, and boost the immune system. The roots are also a good source of fiber to assist with digestion and contain some vitamin K, magnesium, calcium, folate, and potassium.
Applications
Uzbek carrots are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as braising, sautéing, roasting, and glazing. The carrots can be consumed fresh, out-of-hand as a crunchy snack, used as an accompaniment to dips and sauces on appetizer plates, or grated and tossed with green salads. They can also be shredded and cooked into fritters, sautéed in rice dishes, minced into filling for dumplings, sliced and tossed into soups and stews, or roasted and served with cooked meats. In Kazakhstan, Uzbek carrots are often imported and are used to flavor the broth in the national dish beshbarmak, which is boiled meat served over pasta squares with a broth side dish. The carrots are also often shredded and lightly sautéed with spices, vinegar, salt, and sugar to make a spicy, tangy, and sweet side dish. In addition to cooked applications, Uzbek carrots are commonly canned or pickled for extended use and are sold commercially. Uzbek carrots pair well with onions, garlic, shallots, chives, beets, apples, herbs and spices such as coriander, black pepper, and paprika, vinegar, pecans, and meats such as beef, lamb, pork, and poultry. The fresh carrots will keep up to one month when loosely placed in a plastic bag with good air circulation and stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Uzbek carrots are traditionally used in Uzbekistan’s national rice dish known as pilaf or plov. There are many variations of pilaf in Uzbekistan using meats such as beef or lamb, various spices, and available regional ingredients, but carrots are one of the main ingredients used to improve flavor, increase volume, and add healthy nutritional properties. Pilaf is also made across Central Asia and is a favored dish to make for large gatherings in Kazakhstan. The rice dish is commonly prepared during new year and Christmas celebrations, and in addition to pilaf, many holiday meals in Kazakhstan consist of pastries, other sweets, dried fruits and nuts, roasted meats, and salads.
Geography/History
The many varieties that are found under the Uzbek carrot name were created through natural selection but had different origins and histories, with some cultivars being native to Uzbekistan while others were introduced from other regions in Asia. Today Uzbek carrots are cultivated in home gardens and through small farms, and new varieties are being created at the Uzbek Scientific Research Institute of Vegetable Crops, Melons, and Potatoes in Tashkent. Uzbek carrots are also highly exported into neighboring countries, including Russia, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. The carrots in the photo above were found at a local market in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Recently Shared
People have shared Uzbek Carrots using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Kazakhfilm weekend food fair
улица Жарокова, Казахфильм, Алматы, Казахстан About 18 days ago, 12/30/21 Sharer's comments : healthy orange carrots grown in Pavlodar 
Eco fresh market
Микрорайон Казахфильм, 17/1, 050023, Алматы, Казахфильм About 33 days ago, 12/14/21 Sharer's comments : Beautiful and sweet Uzbek carrots 
Bibikhonim Str., Samarqand, Узбекистан
Siab Bazaar
Bibikhonim Str., Samarqand, Узбекистан About 54 days ago, 11/24/21 Sharer's comments : Carrots is the most popular vegetable in Uzbekistan 
Bibikhonim Str., Samarqand, Узбекистан
Siab Bazaar
Bibikhonim Str., Samarqand, Узбекистан About 57 days ago, 11/21/21 Sharer's comments : Uzbek carrots at theit homeland 
Magnum cash and carry
Микрорайон Алмагуль, 18а, 050060/A15C0B9, Алматы, Алмагуль About 76 days ago, 11/02/21 Sharer's comments : Yellow Uzbek carrots from Tashkent 
Green Bazaar
Жибек Жолы 53, Алматы 050000, Казахстан About 79 days ago, 10/30/21 Sharer's comments : Uzbek yellow carrots are perfect for pilaf 
Samal 2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Galmart supermarket
Samal 2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 211 days ago, 6/20/21 Sharer's comments : Yellow Uzbek sweet carrots from Tashkent are perfect for pilaf 
zakhfilm micro district, 17/1, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Ecofreshmarket
Kazakhfilm micro district, 17/1, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 334 days ago, 2/17/21 Sharer's comments : Yellow sweet carrots from Uzbekistan 
Kazakhfilm micro district, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Ecofreshmarket
Kazakhfilm micro district, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 342 days ago, 2/09/21 Sharer's comments : Uzbek sweet yellow carrots from Uzbekistan 
Kazakhfilm micro district, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Ecofreshmarket
Kazakhfilm micro district, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 352 days ago, 1/30/21 Sharer's comments : Yellow Uzbek carrots are perfect for pilaf 
Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Galomart supermarket
Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 370 days ago, 1/11/21 Sharer's comments : Yellow Uzbek carrots from Tashkent 
Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Galomart supermarket
Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 387 days ago, 12/26/20 Sharer's comments : Yellow Uzbek Carrots from Tashkent 
Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Galomart supermarket
Samal microdistrict-2, 111, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 396 days ago, 12/17/20 Sharer's comments : Yellow Uzbek carrots from Uzbekistan 
Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Green market
Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 414 days ago, 11/29/20 Sharer's comments : Uzbek yellow carrots are perfect for tasty plov 
Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Green market
Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan About 423 days ago, 11/20/20 Sharer's comments : Yellow uzbek carrots are perfect for plov 
Syrgabekova 30, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Convenient vegetable store
Syrgabekova 30. About 526 days ago, 8/09/20 Sharer's comments : Yellow Uzbek carrots are perfect for Uzbek pilaf 
Zhibek Zholy, 53. Almaty, Kazakhstan
Зелёный Базар
Жибек Жолы 53, Алматы, Казахстан About 586 days ago, 6/10/20 Sharer's comments : Uzbek carrot is great for the pilaf 
Zhetygen village, Almaty province, Kazakhstan
Zhetygen weekend food market
Zhetygen village, Almaty province About 709 days ago, 2/08/20 Sharer's comments : Sweet Uzbek carrots spotted at Zhetygen food fair 
Zhibek Zholy 53, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Green market
Zhibek zholy 53 About 718 days ago, 1/30/20 Sharer's comments : Yellow Uzbek carrots are perfect for plov |
