Purple Carrots, Butternut Squash and Dried Apricots

 

Yes carrots are one of the first solid foods we introduce to babies but Purple carrots are something special right? Even in a grocery store they catch our attention with their vibrant color. I just love getting purple carrots. Purple carrots are loaded with nutrients, they have fiber and potassium. They are also rich in powerful antioxidants (anthocyanins) known to fight inflammation. 

Anthocyanins belong to the polyphenol family of antioxidants and are found in purple fruits and vegetables like blackberries, grapes, purple potatoes, purple cabbage, and purple carrots. It helps to protect our body from oxidative stress (linked to health conditions such as cancer, mental decline, heart disease and aging). 

Did you know that carrots were originally purple or white, well I didn't! And I have seen Purple carrots in India at local farmers markets. We have a small sweet shop in our hometown (Prayagraj or formally known as Allahabad) which serves a Halwa (an Indian pudding) made with Purple Carrots. Tastes amazing! In India, Purple carrots, unlike the orange ones, are a winter product only. So the next time we are visiting India, purple carrot halwa, I am going to enjoy you even more! 

We started having purple carrots a few years back and went all hands on it after Prisha was born. I have seen them at hyvee and whole foods and I am sure you can also find them at the farmers market.

There are many ways to enjoy purple carrots. Just like orange carrots, they can be baked, added to smoothies, or enjoyed raw. Of course here we are adding it in baby food, so we will be pureeing it. But they are also excellent finger foods not only for the babies but also for us.

So what do you think? Next time you see purple carrots give them a try. They are after all - ‘The Originals’.

Ingredients:

• Purple Carrots - 2, peeled and cut into cubes
• Butternut Squash - 2 cups, peeled and cut into cubes
• Dried Apricots - 3-4

Directions:

• Wash the Carrot and Squash thoroughly.
• Cook the Purple Carrots, Butternut Squash and Dried Apricots in boiling water/ steamer basket or pressure cooker (3-4 whistles over medium low heat) till they are tender. Let them cool down.
• Transfer to a blender cup (Nutri Bullet cup).
• Blend until smooth, add a tablespoon of water (in which the vegetables have been cooked) till it is smooth enough for your baby.
• Serve and let them enjoy the goodness!
• This puree can be kept in the fridge for 1-2 days.

Try these Baby Food purees as well:

• Diary of Finger Foods -1
• Pear Banana Oatmeal
• Carrot Puree/ Carrot Avocado Puree
• Rice Pudding with Apple and Banana
• Apple Mango Kiwi Banana Puree with a dash of Vanilla Extract
• Diary of Finger Foods - 2
• Apple Puree/ Apple Mango Carrot Puree
• Triple Berry (Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry), Banana and Oatmeal Puree
• Green Power: Green Beans Puree/ French Beans and Pear Puree with Yogurt
• 5 Minute Purees – Blueberry Avocado Banana Puree and Cherry Mango Banana Puree
• Breakfast Purees – Pear Oats Plums Blueberries and Pear Oats Apricots Mangoes
• Chicken and Barley Puree with Sweet Potato or Butternut Squash
• Avocado Purees – Avocado Cherry Banana Puree and Avocado Orange Banana Puree
• Butternut Squash, Strawberry and Golden Beet Puree
• Sweet Banana – Banana Avocado Pineapple Puree with Yogurt and Banana Golden Beet Mango Puree
• Khichri (Lentils and Rice with Garden Veggies Puree)
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Zucchini Carrot and Cilantro
• Kiwi, Carrot, Butternut Squash and Mango Puree
• Diary of Finger Foods
• Carrot, Apple and Ginger Puree
• Plum Apple Avocado Puree
• Red Lentils Puree with Turnip, Zucchini, Sweet Potatoes and aromatic Cloves
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Carrot, Yellow Squash, Apple and Oregano
• Green Beans and Asparagus Puree
• Green Beans, Green Apple and Avocado Puree
• Pear, Turnip, Collard Greens, Purple Carrot with aromatic Star Anise
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Carrot, Tomato, Pear and Mint
• Blueberry Strawberry Peas Avocado Puree
• Turnip Pear Broccoli Yellow Squash
• Sweet Potato, Mango and Avocado Puree
• Kiwi, Green Beans, Peas, Strawberry and Blueberry Puree
• Kiwi, Green Apple and Banana Puree
• Butternut Squash and Kiwi Puree
• Apple Blueberry Puree
• Beef, Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes with Garlic Puree
• Chole Chawal (Chickpea curry with Rice)
• Sweet Potato, Kidney Beans, Purple Carrots and Green Apple
• Plum Puree
• Mangsho Bhat (Chicken Rice with Potato and Tomato)
• Pot Roast
• Plum, Blackberry Puree with Yogurt
• Plum Cherry Mango Puree
• Garlic Tomato Pasta Puree
• Carrot Peach and Cherry Puree
• Mangoes Cherries Peach Acorn Squash and Mint Puree
• Carrot, Peach, Butternut Squash puree with Clove
• Beef Beetroot Yellow Squash Puree
• Collard Greens, Pineapple and Apple Puree
• Mango Banana Coconut Cream (with Yogurt) Puree
• Collard Greens, Yellow Squash and Sweet Potato Puree
• Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Butternut Squash and Mango Puree
• Chicken, Yellow Squash, Apple with Nutmeg
• Ginger Beef with Veggies
• Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Golden Beets, Acorn Squash, Peas and fresh Parsley
• Beef Pasta with Spinach, Tomato and Carrot
• Zucchini Pear Mango Purée
• Chicken Broccoli Fried Rice/ Casserole
• Cardamom Chicken with Vegetables for the Babies
• Chicken, Acorn Squash, Golden Beet and Ginger Powder