Cracks often occur when carrots experience rapid changes in soil moisture, such as after a period of dryness followed by heavy watering or rain.
Yes, cracked carrots are generally safe to eat. Splits or cracks in carrots are an aesthetic issue and don't affect the quality of nutritional value of the carrot.
However, cracks can allow bacteria or fungi to enter more easily, so trim away any deeply cracked or discolored areas before eating.
Before eating however, inspect the carrot:
To reduce cracking in future crops, keep the soil evenly and consistently moist, particularly as the roots enlarge. Mulching around carrots can help maintain more consistent soil moisture. Harvest when young and small, before the carrots have a chance to get splits.
Storing fresh picked carrots
However, cracks can allow bacteria or fungi to enter more easily, so trim away any deeply cracked or discolored areas before eating.
Before eating however, inspect the carrot:
- Small surface cracks: simply wash and scrub well; they're fine to eat.
- Deep cracks: cut away the cracked area, especially if soil has become embedded.
- Soft, slimy, moldy, or foul-smelling areas: discard the carrot.
- Cracked carrots from your garden: harvest them promptly because cracks can provide openings for microorganisms and can shorten storage life.
To reduce cracking in future crops, keep the soil evenly and consistently moist, particularly as the roots enlarge. Mulching around carrots can help maintain more consistent soil moisture. Harvest when young and small, before the carrots have a chance to get splits.
Storing fresh picked carrots
- Remove the greens immediately (they'll draw moisture from the carrot if left attached) leaving about ½ inch of stem. The greens are edible and delicious - use them in pesto, chimichurri, soups, or salads.
- Eat cracked carrots first.
- Brush off excess soil and let the surface dry. Don't wash them before storing.
- Store in a refrigerator crisper drawer in a produce bag away from apples and other fruits that produce ethylene gas.
- Remove any carrots that are becoming soft or spoiled.