Beetroots
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
Similar veggies:
Carrots
Other names:
Beets
A quick introduction
Beets or beetroots, are typically dark red to purple but varieties with different colours are making their way onto the market. We particularly like the pink and white striped chioggia beets from Italy. Beets are especially popular in East European dishes such as borscht and pair well with herbs such as dill and mint. They can be eaten raw or cooked. The beetroot greens look very similar to chard - in fact, the two are closely related - and are edible and delicious! Beetroots are similar in shape to other veggies such as turnips and radishes, but they are not related, and their taste is quite distinctly nutty and earthy.
Storage
Take the greens off the beets as soon as you unpack your vegetable box. Leaving the leaves on will result in shrivelled and dried up beets after a few days. Store the beets in the vegetable drawer of the fridge. The greens keep best in a closed container in the fridge.
Season
End of spring to winter
Suggestions for preparation
Although many beets can be eaten raw in salads, not all beets taste great when eaten raw, so we suggest you taste-test this option first. Beets can also be prepared in several other ways, such as boiled, baked, steamed, fried, grilled, or even juiced! Just be careful when handling them, as the red juice is prone to leaving stains on your skin, cooking utensils and clothes!
Beets are great roasted in the oven and served with dips and sauces (for example, a salsa verde or a yogurt and garlic sauce). A tip from one of our members: roasted beets served with balsamic vinegar and feta cheese, delicious!
The tops of beets can be prepared in the same way as chard, for example sautéed in oil and garlic.
Recipes
Searching for the perfect borscht recipe? Try this classic borscht here, or go for this version by Ottolenghi that is somewhere in between a goulash and a borscht and that uses pomegranates and chipotle.
Another great recipe pairs beets with yogurt and dill (or mint), or try this beet, beef and habanero stew.
Do you want to master the art of roasting beets? Look no further and check out this guide to roast beets!
This beets hummus is a very pretty addition to the lunch or bruch table.