Beets In Winter

     I just had the most delicious beets in the dead of winter right out of my Freezer.  Back in August I roasted 4 small beets and placed them in a vacuum sealed bag.  This week I’m dining on beet salad (very chic in yuppie restaurants) and on a beet onion balsamic sugar side dish.  Both were simple and delish.

     Prior to eating some of my Mother-in-Law’s canned beets in my early 20ies, I had never voluntarily eaten beets.  They were great and my husband commented that I liked them because of the amount of sugar she used.  I had never eaten anything that close to a fresh beet before.  Well, over years of cooking I never bought or cooked beets.  It wasn’t until I had to pick some up in my CSA, that I decided I could prepare my own beets and better yet like them.

     I think it is extremely easy to cook beets and not as messy as you think. 

Roasting Beets

Heat Oven to 350

Oil in a baking dish

I cut the rough stuff off the beets before I roast but I’m not sure most chefs would suggest that  Sometimes I also cut the beets in half if they are large (harder to cut later but evens out cooking time)

Cover dish with foil

Cooking time varies depending on the size of the beet I start with a half hour and go from there.  I just test to see if a knife will go through.

When they are done, let them cool and peel

Peeling Beets

Get out the paper towels.  Yes, I said paper towels.  You might have to get an edge started with a knife but rub the towels against the beet to pull off the skin.  Works like magic and more than half the time.

The Mess

Yes, there might be a little bit of a mess when working with beets.  When cutting raw and roasted  beets there will be beet juice, which is extremely pretty in color no matter what variety of beet.  Beet juice will stain clothes but not dishes or new sinks/countertops.  Your hands will get very pink during the peeling process.  It washes right off.  My expensive french manicure was unaffected. 

My favorite things to do with beets

Roasted beets as part of a salad

Roasted beets, onion, balsamic and sugar side dish (this is exactly what it sounds like.  Just add a little bit of everything to it till you figure out the portions you like)

Beet Green Risotto-One time the greens were on the beets so I looked for a recipe that incorporated both and found this recipe.  It was the prettiest dish I ever made.  Tasted fantastic and froze well.

     It took a little effort but I now like beets every once in a while.  I choose beet salad more often in restaurants.  I’m happy to have one or two packets of beets frozen after summer bounty.  Have I persuaded my family to join the beet movement?  No.  I have one adventurous child who may give them a try depending on his mood but that’s it.  I don't think that t-shirts with “eat more beets” on them would be a profitable venture.

When I write my articles I try to add in something fun when I can.  This is a link from a Portlandia episode on you tube about beets.  Enjoy the video and your beets.