The Goodness Of Beets

There's nothing like beet salad with a summer lunch. it's sweet yet refreshing , a different taste than other vegetables.Most people discount the root veggie as something for baby food but it;s much much more. It can go from a hearty peasant soup to a tasty side dish. You can buy them fresh , canned or even grow them yourself. Another plus ? They're good for you.

Beets are a part of the Amaranth family and is a cousin to the chard and spinach beet. It has been around for millenniums , being first grown in the Mediterranean area and then heading to china. it was popular in early cuisines however was replaced by spinach as a side dish. The 19th Century changed everything for the beet. it was discovered that its' sucrose could be xtracted and made into sugar. This was a cheaper alternative to the more expensive cane sugar which had to be imported from the West Indies. beets and their parts were used in medicines throughout the years and they have what's known as betalain.

I love beet salad but you can also make the Eastern European cold soup borscht. (there is a hot version that the Ukrainians make and love0This is a combination of beets, beef shank, dill and sour cream, The last gives the soup its'smooth texture and strong taste. I prefer a simple salad using only canned beets, oil vinegar and a liberal dose of onion salt. You can use fresh sliced onions for a more bite and pungency. The salad is best if it's been chilled for a couple of hours. Always remember that beet tastes their best when cold so plan ahead if you do want to serve them.

Nothing beats beets for a refreshing summer vegetable. Make a salad of them to act as a refreshing and tasty side to burgers and ribs at your summer barbecue. They'll not only add color but flavor too!