It's mostly a matter of looks, or keeping the kids busy. Left on, an older carrot's skin can look a little dirty when cooked, but for most uses, it doesn't affect the flavor. To see how your carrots will turn out, give them a good scrubbing with a vegetable brush. If it doesn't, and you want the finished carrots to gleam, peel them. Just add two tablespoons of water for every pound of carrots, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes on high and let them stand for a minutes before removing them from the microwave.
Glazed carrots are a timeless favorite and a simple change from fancier fare.
The brown sugar enhances the carrots' natural sweetness and makes them the perfect accent for roasted or grilled pork or poultry. Steam the carrots for 5-8 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter and brown sugar together in a frying pan or in the microwave. Garnish with the toasted, chopped pecans or walnuts for crunch. For a spirited touch, stir in two tablespoons of butterscotch schnapps or orange juice.