The plant's beta-carotene-packed root takes the nutrition and flavor spotlight. When buying carrots, choose firm, bright-orange ones without splits or cracks. The deeper the orange, the more beta-carotene present.

This side dish has hands-on appeal: After roasting, you spread the earthy, caramelized garlic onto carrots that have become sweet upon cooking.

Several distinct flavors blend harmoniously in this mixture: Carrots, oranges, and cashews mingle, while watercress provides a fresh, crunchy contrast. A refreshing orange vinaigrette gives a bit of complexity to every bite.

Carrots and raisins give a note of sweetness to this traditional North African dish. This version is made even more nutritious by swapping out the usual couscous for protein-packed quinoa.

A Japanese-restaurant staple, this flavorful sauce makes a bright accompaniment to salad or steamed vegetables, without a lot of fat.

The addition of whole-wheat flour and wheat germ -- and the omission of cream-cheese frosting -- makes these carrot cake-like muffins especially virtuous. Bake them ahead of time for a quick breakfast or easy snack.

Use a blender, not a food processor, to puree this soup, or it will become gummy.

Prepare this salad and store in the refrigerator, without the cilantro and pistachios, up to two days ahead.

Frozen mango lends the smoothie its sweetness and smooth texture while adding vitamins B6, C, and E. Pair the smoothie with a hard-boiled egg or a handful of nuts for protein, and you've got a balanced meal to go.

Buying grains such as couscous in bulk keeps down the cost of this Moroccan-inspired dish.

Beating egg whites to stiff peaks ensures the texture of these whole-grain muffins remains light. Fresh carrots and zucchini keep them moist.

Pliable rice-paper wrappers envelop six vegetables (and countless nutrients). The sauce supplies a tingling jolt of ginger and vinegar.

Whereas traditional latkes are deep-fried in oil, these lighter latkes are pan-fried, then finished in a hot oven until they are crispy. Plain yogurt makes a healthy stand-in for a traditional accompaniment, sour cream.

In this seasonal version of the traditional winter one-pot meal, two diced carrots give a bit of texture and sweetness. Try it with a bright green salad.

This fresh salad contrasts the subtle flavor of butterhead lettuce with the piquant taste of radish and the sweet flavor of carrots. The season's first sprouts add an earthy dimension to this simple dish.

A great dish to bring to a party, this layered salad is simple to make and stunning to look at. The topping of finely shredded carrots adds a nice pop of color.

This light and cool salad is a perfect side dish for a summer meal; a generous amount of shredded carrots helps make it very flavorful.

Serve this tangy slaw with your favorite barbecue favorites, such as burgers, chicken, or ribs.

These small cups filled with chicken and matchsticks of carrots and mango would make wonderful appetizers at your next summer party.

The little guys lack the rich flavor of full-grown ones -- and can cost up to twice as much. Create your own snack-size sticks by peeling and cutting carrots on the bias into 2-inch pieces. Small- or medium-size carrots work best.