Beets
Basic Information
Beets are a traditional cold-weather root vegetable in Nova Scotia. They are best known for their bright red color and sweet flavour but they also come in other colours like yellow and pink. The pigment that gives most beets their red color is called betacyanin, a powerful antioxidant!
Beets have great nutritional value and are a good source of calcium, iron, potassium, fibre and folate.
Storage, Preservation, Preparation & Cooking
Beets will last a few weeks when stored between 0-4° C.
To prepare beets, wash and trim stem and stalks to ~2cm. They can be boiled or roasted. Once cooked, the skin can be easily removed.
Grated while raw or cubed and roasted, beets make a great addition to salads. They can also be sautéed with other vegetables, or preserved by pickling or canning.
Don’t throw away the leaves - they can be eaten too! Add them to a salad raw, or sauté with garlic for a nutritious side dish.
