Beets have a wonderfully sweet and earthy flavor--like a cross between a carrot and a wild mushroom. Roasting concentrates the natural sugars, making beets a perfect partner for citrus, cheese, and horseradish. Plus, they're the most visually stunning food around. They range from a deep ruby-red to a bright orange-gold to a playful peppermint-candy stripe.
5 Ways to Cook Beets
1. As a spread for crostini: PUREE roasted beets and stir into softened goat cheese; season with salt and pepper. Serve spread with toasted baguette slices.
2. For a crunchy salad: TOSS shaved raw beets, fennel, celery, artichoke hearts, and apples with a Sherry wine vinaigrette.
3. As an omelet filling: WILT beet greens in olive oil and minced garlic; add to an omelet along with crumbled feta cheese.
4. For beet fries: Lightly DUST matchstick-size strips of raw beets with cornstarch. Heat oil to 340 degrees F and fry beets until crisp outside and tender inside.
5. On sandwiches: ADD thinly sliced roasted beets to beef or vegetable panini.
Good For You
Even though they have the highest sugar content of any vegetable, beets are still very low in fat and calories. The greens--which are incredibly rich in nutrients, vitamins, and mineral--are the most nutritious part of the plant. But even the roots are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, fiber, iron, and folic acid.
--Camille Hahn
Related:
- Roasted Beets in Mustard Cream
- Farfalle with Golden Beets, Beet Greens, and Pine Nuts
- Beet Chutney
- Beet Salad with Cornbread Croutons and Country Ham
- Beet Ravioli with Poppy Seed Butter
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