he orange carrots we enjoy today originated from the purple variety grown in Afghanistan since the 7th Century AD. As they moved westward into Europe the orange variety came about and this is the variety the English settlers brought to America. Carrot comes from the Greek word "karōton" and the Greeks started the belief that eating carrots would improve your eyesight. John Ayto in "An A-Z of Food & Drink" tells how during World War II the British furthered this belief by saying that British pilots improved their night vision by eating huge amounts of carrots. They were, however, only trying to encourage the eating of carrots as it was one of the few foods that were not in short supply during the war. Anyhow, folks, this is a good excuse to eat your carrots!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large egg
• 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, lightly drained
• 1 1/2 peeled and finely grated cup carrot
• 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 freshly grated or ground teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Optional:

• 1 cup golden raisins

Preparation:

Have all ingredients at room temperature, 68°F to 70°F. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9x2-inch round pans or two 8x8-inch pans or one 13x9-inch pan, or line the bottom with wax paper. In a large bowl, throroughly whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, all-spice, and salt. Add the vegetable oil and eggs, and stir together well with a rubber spatula or beat on low speed. Stir in the carrots, walnuts, raisins and pineapple (if using). Scrape the batter into the pans(s) and spread evenly. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cream Cheese Frosting Mix 16 oz cream cheese, 5 cups confectioners sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract