Minted Carrots with Pumpkin Seeds

Minted Carrots with Pumpkin Seeds

This is an easy and delightfully refreshing way to serve carrots that complements many dishes. The pumpkin seeds add extra nutrition and a wonderful texture.

Prep & Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves 6

Ingredients:
•2 TBS lemon juice
•1 TBS fresh chopped mint
•extra virgin olive oil to taste
•1/2 TBS fresh chopped parsley
•salt and cracked black pepper to taste
•1 TBS coarsely chopped pumpkin seeds
•6 medium-sized carrots peeled and cut in half and 1 inch pieces

Directions:
1.Bring lightly salted water to a boil in steamer with a tight fitting lid.
2.Steam carrots in basket until al dente (slightly crunchy inside).
3.Chop rest of ingredients and toss with carrots when done.

Nutritional FYI…Carrots are an excellent source of antioxidant compounds, and the richest vegetable source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. Carrots' antioxidant compounds help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer and also promote good vision, especially night vision.

Pumpkin seeds provide a wide range of traditional nutrients. They are a very good source of the minerals magnesium, manganese and phosphorus, and a good source of iron, copper, protein, and as previously mentioned, zinc. Snack on a quarter-cup of pumpkin seeds and you will receive 46.1% of the daily value for magnesium, 28.7% of the DV for iron, 52.0% of the DV for manganese, 24.0% of the DV for copper, 16.9% of the DV for protein, and 17.1% of the DV for zinc.