Beautiful Beets!
Aug 30, 2023Beets are beautiful and loaded with dense nutrients!
Like vitamin C, B6, and folate, also know as vitamin B9. Folate is crucial for cell growth and DNA formation, so it is especially important for pregnant mothers. Folate is also found in leafy greens, avocados, asparagus, and brussels sprouts. Beets also contain potassium, and magnesium, iron, copper, and manganese.
When I was a child my mother often served beets as a side dish, simply flavored. I don't even think they were buttered., maybe just a little salt and pepper. I didn’t mind their flavor as a child and I really like them now. They were slightly sweet and very pretty on my plate. I daughter-in-law has a really yummy recipe for pickled beets, which I am not making today. Today I are simply going to steam beets and top my salad with them.
Beets are super nutritious, both the tops and the roots. They are liver protective and detoxifying. They have even been used in some cancer therapies. Beets can be juiced raw, baked, boiled, or steamed.
Beets are like radishes, in that, the tops don't stay vibrant for very long in the refrigerator, so if you don't want your especially nutritious beet tops to go to waste, they can be cut up and added to a salad, steamed or sautéed.
I didn't get right on using my beet tops fast enough so today I'm just going to focus on the roots.
Beets are root vegetables (like potatoes) so it is highly advisable they be scrubbed. Don't worry about pealing the skins prior to cooking. They come off much easier afterwards.
The simplest ways to cook beets are to boil or steam them. If boiling them, make sure they are covered with water. You may want to add a dash of vinegar to help limit color seepage. To steam beets, add enough water to a pot so that it doesn't boil out, but not so much that it enters the steamer basket.
The larger the beets, the longer they will need to be cooked. You will just have to keep testing them for doneness by piercing them with a fork.
Once they are finished cooking, (approximately 25 minutes, give or take) allow them to cool a bit before pealing. You don't want to burn yourself. The skin should easily come off. Keep in mind beets will stain. Always wear protective clothing! ;)
Now, slice and top a salad, or make them into a salad?! They are so beautiful and have a wonderful sweet, earthy flavor.
Store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you aren't going to consume them fast enough, they can be frozen for several months. Simple, nutritious and delicious! Enjoy!
Kristi Taylor is a Master Herbalist, Clinical Herbalist and Natural healing Guide®. She endeavors to share her knowledge and passion of natural healing with whomever will listen – because nature’s wisdom never ceases to delight and amaze!
References
Arnarson, Atli. Nutrition, "Folic Acid vs. Folate - What's the Difference?". 2 Feb 2023. (Healthline.com, accessed Aug 2023).
Greger, Michael. How NOT to DIE: Discover the Foods Scientifically Proven to Prevent and Reverse Disease. (Flatiron Books, NY: 2015).
Greger, Michael. How NOT to DIET: The Groundbreaking science of Healthy, Permanent Weight Loss. (Flatiron Books, NY: 2019).
