Beets
Beta vulgaris
Ever seen the tv show “The Office?” Besides the office clown, Dwight is actually a beet farmer. He lives on his family’s 60-acre beet farm, in a nine bedroom, one bathroom farmhouse, selling his beets at a roadside “beat stand.”
Seasonality
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
| • | • | • | • | • | • | • |
Description
Both the greens and root area edible. Each beet variety has a unique color and flavor, but each with their signature earthiness. The beet is prized for it’s numerous health benefits, being rich in folate and vitamin C.
Storage tips
Store with some humidity in cooler- remove twist tie. Eat greens first as the root portion will hold longer. Cut the greens off right above the top of the root. Beet root should keep for around 3 weeks once the greens are removed.
Culinary tips
- Root veggies (beets, carrots, parsnip) can be cooked and treated very similarly.
- When roasting, coat evenly with oil so it cooks evenly. Roasting is preferred to boiling to concentrate the flavors unless making a soup.
- Grate and substitute in your favorite carrot bread or zucchini bread recipe.
- Slice thin and pour some pickling liquid over it to add color and texture to salads.
