You’ve heard of Sweet Potato Fries. Now, an innovative California produce house has developed Carrot Fries. Bolthouse Foods (BF) claims their product will, “bring excitement to both the carrot set and value-added vegetable section.” We’ll see…
Call it product newstalgizing. The company, known for its food-forward stance, says its merely continuing its, “focus on bringing innovative solutions to the produce aisle.”
Secret process?
Bolthouse doesn’t go into any detail about how they make their fry-cut carrots. They’ll only say the things can be cooked in the oven or air fryer. Not unlike frozen potato fries. But BF stresses (mainly for the edification of retailers) that the product is not frozen, and belongs in the Produce Department. Alongside the pre-cut salads and pre-sliced ‘snacking’ apples.
Nevertheless…
The company is coming out bullish, not only with its new ‘fries’, but with three flavours, including: Classic Sea Salt, Rockin’ Ranch, and Spicy Chipotle. Now, that’s a real innovation! I can see how the innate sweetness and earthy umaminess of the carrot can complement those popular dip/dressing flavours.
“Carrots are one of the most versatile vegetables in the produce department, and Carrot Fries offer a new way for shoppers to enjoy them,” says Melissa Oliver, SVP of Sales and Marketing at Bolthouse Fresh Foods, in the official news release. “By pairing the familiarity of fries with the freshness of car-rots, we’re introducing a format that fits today’s cooking habits while helping retailers expand how shoppers use carrots at home.”
An opportunity for retailers…
“Convenient, ready-to-cook vegetables continue to be an area of growth in the produce department,” the company teases. “Bolthouse Fresh Carrot Fries build on that momentum with a new carrot inno-vation designed for modern meal occasions, giving retailers an opportunity to expand usage and drive incremental sales in the category.”
‘This product also lends itself well to cross-merchandising opportunities alongside proteins or dips to help inspire simple serving ideas.”
My take
A closer look at the product package revealed something I at first missed. The flavouring is applied via a dust-on powder supplied in a separate pouch inside the bag. That makes sense. And looking at the product close-up, through the clear portions of the bag, it seems the carrot sticks themselves are nothing more than that: fry-cut carrots.
I suspect that there are specific instructions on the back of the bag for successful cooking by air fryer or oven, as advertised. And if you try BF Carrot Fries, I’d recommend you stick to their instructions closely. My own experience with ‘innovative’ carrot prep resulted in unmitigated disaster…
Many years ago, I decided to try microwaving raw, naked (no special prep) carrots. The result was vegan shoe leather.
On the other hand, I’ve tried my own carrot fries in the oven, part and parcel of experiments with sheet pan veggie baking. And they came out pretty good. Just not as crispy as I would have liked. Maybe Bolthouse can tear me a thing or two…
~ Maggie J.