Thursday 25 February 2010

For the love of Beets

When vegetables are this good looking - who needs supermodels!
I was quite surprised yesterday that quite a few of my American counterpart bloggers had never tried beetroot, which drew to my attention that Beets (like Rhubarb) are not quite so much a staple as they are here. So I thought maybe I should educate you all on such a wonderful vegetable and share with you a few other ways to use it.
Beetroots make their biggest appearance for my family on Boxing Day (26th of December) where the traditional meal of pickle and mash is had. I love picked beetroot and I love it even more when it stains my fluffy mash potato a beautiful violet hue. Generally pickled beets are the most bought type of beets, I warn you though, they're a bit like Marmite (If you're American you might very well not have a clue what I'm talking about here...I'll do another post regarding marmite soon.) You ever love them or hate them.
I personally, love them. I love that they are so versatile and a real great way to make a drab looking dish, colorful and beautiful. Grated over a plain old chicken salad? Perfect!
Here's a few other great facts about Beets that just make them that more appealing:
  • Beetroot contains betaine, a substance that relaxes the mind and is used to treat depression. It also contains trytophan (also found in chocolate!) which contributes to a sense of well being.
  • The Romans considered beetroot an aphrodisiac (it’s rich in the mineral boron which is important in the production of human sex hormones). The belief persists to this day that if a man and a woman eat from the same beetroot, they will fall in love (with each other, presumably.)
  • It’s an excellent source of folic acid and is therefore recommended to women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
  • Cooked beetroot is a great source of folate that can protect you against high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s and dementia. It is also crucial to the development of a baby’s spinal cord during the first three months of pregnancy, so a good intake of folate is important to prevent spinal cord defects such as spina bifida.
  • Beetroot is a naturally environmentally-friendly crop, rarely needing treatment with pesticides.

If you're still unsure about trying beets (why?!) then why don't you have a look over these recipes to get your taste buds tingling?

Borscht Soup - A classic beetroot soup originating from Poland.

Beetroot, Avocado and Goats Cheese Salad served with Parma Ham - The combination is. peeeerfect.

Beetroot and Onion Chutney - I heart this so much.

Beetroot & Wild Mushrooms Tartlet in Filo Pastry - Why wouldn't you?

But my favourite easy way to curb my Beetroot craving? Couple of slices of whole meal bread, several slices of beetroot dipped in malt vinegar arranged on top, salt, pepper and a generous sprinkling of cheddar cheese... Toasted of course.

All information comes from www.lovebeetroot.co.uk .... Yeah, thats right people, they've even got their own website. Booyah.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

You've got me interested :) I only just barely remember them from my childhood as something that comes out of a can LOL
*kisses* HH

Nicole @ Chic and Cheap Nursery said...

Thank you for that lovely lesson on Beetroot! Unfortunately, I am one of the pickiest eaters on the planet! And THAT does not look like something I would eat... unless you paid me =)

Thanks for stopping by!!!

www.thewannabewahm.com

Homemaker Man said...

Hi. We love beets in our house. Our favorite way is roasted at a high temp (400-425 farenheit) in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper. They taste like candy.

Love your profile pic.

Frugal Vicki said...

Hmmm, I have never even heard of beetroot. I love beets, but you know the canned kind, I am sure that is the pickled you are talking about. I know that my grandma makes the best rhubarb pie around!
I have been busy playing catch up, and I must say you sound a lot more positive lately, I hope you are doing even better than you sound!

Debbie said...

I think most of us were ruined by the canned ones. Somehow, they were so bad that it is often hard to give them a second chance.

Viv said...

I bought some beet chips and they were yummy...that's a start, right?

Kel said...

I have never had beetroot either. Thanks for sharing! I'm always ready to try something new.

Helene said...

I've never had it before!! But it definitely sounds like one of those foods you're passionate about!

Miranda said...

Oh. I LOVE BEETS!!!!!!
I always pickle mine....

HOW ARE YOU!?!?! It has been a long time...MUAH!

grace said...

i don't eat a lot of beets, but i can already tell you confidently that my favorite recipe making use of it would be the one in your previous post. 'tis a gorgeous cake. :)

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