In the Market: Candy Striped Beets

Beets get a bad wap. But what's not to love about their sweet, earthy taste?

We've been seeing at lot of the candy-striped beets in the markets recently. The roots of the candy-striped are not only sweet and tasty, but the concentric rings of color look striking on a plate. Gothamist loves beets in salads with goat cheese, mint and pine nutes. Just peel the beets, wrap them in foil and roast them until tender. They are great with other veggies as a side dish to fish or meats all winter long.

What's your favorite way to enjoy beets? Ever have a candy-striped?

Candy-striped beets can be found at the Union Square market, Fairway and Fresh Direct for about $3 a bunch.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Joe DeSalazar in Food on November 1, 2005 11:08 AM

Comments [rss]

Kala

Be vewy quiet! We'we making stwange typos!

mark

how about borscht? it's an old new york favorite.

Pete Gelz

Beets are the worst.

Jenny McCarth

I LOVE beets. The only downside is preparing you have to roast them for a good hour to get them soft, which is why I usually pick out bunches with smaller beets. Does anyone know whether you can microwave them? I often use my oven to heat my cold apartment (my lazy landlord pays gas), but it's a real bitch to have the oven on that long during the summer.

Also, keep in mind if you eat a lot of beets in one sitting, your pee will be redish so don't freak out that you have blood in your urine and may be dying.

On that note, my favorite simple and easy beet recipe is:

Roasted Beet Salad

2 pound beets, stems and roots removed

2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

2 tsp vegetable oil

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste

1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste

1 Tbsp fresh oregano

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place beets on foil-lined baking sheet. Bake 45 minutes or until tender.

Allow to cool, then peel and slice. Place in bowl.

In food processor, combine vinegar, oil, mustard, salt and pepper. Process 1 minute. Pour over beets and toss to coat. Sprinkle with oregano and serve.