Carrot

Ah, the carrot. The humble root vegetable that all rabbits love and most humans tolerate. Let’s take a closer look at this crunchy, orange wonder.

History

Believe it or not, the carrot was not always orange. In fact, the OG carrots were purple and came from Afghanistan (which, fun fact, is also where the first ever game of Marco Polo was played).

It wasn’t until the Dutch got their hands on them in the 16th century that we started seeing the orange variety we all know and love today. Legend has it that the Dutch bred them to be orange out of love for William of Orange. That’s right, folks, the orange carrot is basically a tribute vegetable. Now that’s dedication.

Uses

Carrots have a wide array of uses. You can eat them raw, cooked, juiced, or even turn them into a cake (which is an insulting thing to do to a carrot, if you ask me).

If you’re feeling particularly fancy, you can even carve them into intricate sculptures. Because nothing says “I have too much time on my hands” like a carrot statue of Michelangelo’s David.

But perhaps the best use of a carrot is in Bugs Bunny cartoons. I mean, could you even imagine the iconic bunny munching on a parsnip instead? That’s some alternate universe stuff right there.

Nutritional Value

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Wow, this article is hilarious and all, but is there any actual information here?” Fear not, dear reader, for I have not forsaken you.

Carrots are actually pretty good for you. They’re high in Vitamin A and fiber, and have been known to improve eye health (although I’m pretty sure this is just a ploy the carrot lobby came up with to make us all eat more of them).

Conclusion

In conclusion, carrots are a delightful and versatile vegetable with a colorful history (pun absolutely intended). So the next time you chomp down on a carrot stick, remember that you’re not just eating a crunchy snack- you’re also paying homage to William of Orange. It’s basically patriotic.