Move over humble spud ...it's National Carrot Day!

The humble spud's even humbler cousin, the carrot, deserves more attention according to Meade Farm, who grow and pack root vegetables, brassicas and potatoes in Lobinstown. They are inviting the public to join them in celebrating a new National Carrot Day on the third Friday in August.

"While everyone has gotten behind having our own National Potato Day, carrots haven't received as much attention, despite playing a key role in the Irish diet," explains Patrick Meade of Meade Farm.

"We'd like everyone to make their favourite carrot dish on 16th August and take a moment to appreciate the amazing nutritional content of the carrot."

Meade Farm collaborated with chef Adrian Martin to create a new recipe that showcases the fresh, crunchy tastiness of the Irish carrot; he has produced a new take on the summer BBQ salad with a carrot and coriander Salad that features carrots and coriander in a zesty citrus-based vinaigrette.

Testing it on their workforce of 375 at a summer staff BBQ, the feedback from employees was excellent.

"We dished out our new carrot salad and found that even people who wouldn't normally eat carrots raw loved chef Adrian's recipe," observes Jeni Meade.

"How many vegetables can be eaten raw or cooked, are used for savoury dishes or a dessert, while also being incredibly healthy? Of course it deserves its own national day!"

Carrots offer a good source of beta-carotene, fibre, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants, which are commonly associated with benefits to human health. Wild carrots originated in different areas in Europe and Asia and were originally bitter-tasting with a white and yellow colouring.

Domesticated carrots, often purple in colour, appeared 5000 years ago in Iran and Afghanistan. In Europe, parsnips were much more popular until the 17th century when the Dutch bred and produced the type of carrot we now eat, orange in colour and slightly sweet. Ireland currently have fresh carrots available for about 10 months of the year, with 840 hectares under cultivation in 2023.

Meade Farm encourage everyone to celebrate by making their favourite carrot dish or trying a new recipe on Friday 16th August. Chef Adrian's Carrot & Coriander recipe can be found on Meade Farm's Instagram page.