How do you get a party started?

Turn up the beet!!!

Beetroot is a variety of the Beta Vulgaris Species as well as chard. Beetroot is recognized as a health-promoting food with essential components such as vitamins, minerals, nitrates, folate, carotenoids, and betalains. Beetroots tend to have an earthy taste. When paired with bright, sweet citrus beets flourish with nectarous flavor.

The leafy tops of the beetroot carry more minerals, vitamins, and health benefits than you think. Usually, the greens are tossed in the trash. We prefer to use the whole vegetable; from root to leafy top. The beet tops are indeed very low in calories and are a fine source of flavonoids such as B-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins A and K, and minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium.

Selection & Storage: Generally, the freshest selection of beet tops will be readily available at the farmers market, or in your weekly CSA box. At Home, trim the tops of the greens an inch above the root. To store, keep them in a perforated plastic bag and place them in the vegetable box of the refrigerator. The greens stay fresh and vital for 2-3 days, and the roots will stay fresh up to 7 days.

Citrus Beet + Fennel Salad

Ingredients:

2-3 Navel orange
1 Tb Thyme, Chopped
4-6 Beets
1 Fennel bulb
1 Tb. Olive Oil
1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tsp. Honey

Recipe:

Preheat Oven to 400
Separate beets from the leafy tops
With a vegetable brush, scrub off any dirt from the beets and pull off tendrils
Cut the top and bottom of the beet
Place beet on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil ad sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Place in the oven for 40 minutes or until tender. Poke with a fork and if the fork slides through, they are ready.
Allow beets to cool.
This can be done one day ahead.
Remove skin from oranges with a knife, and slice into medallions
Thinly slice fennel
Layer sliced beets, fennel, and orange slices.
Dressing:
Mix the following:
- 4 Tb Olive Oil
- 4 Tb orange juice
- 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tsp Honey (Optional)
- 1 Tb chopped Thyme
- Salt & Pepper to taste