Beets

 Storage Tips

• Cut off greens right above the root, store greens in plastic bag in refrigerator. Store beet roots in plastic bag in crisper drawer of refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Culinary Tips

• Wash beets thoroughly, peeling is optional but not necessary

• Try grating raw beets into salads, or use a vegetable peeler to create thin ribbons of beet in salads (especially beautiful with the chiogga (candy cane) variety.

• Beets are delicious in smoothies, chop beets and add to smoothie with frozen berries, banana, spinach and a little honey.

• Beets are dense and take a long time to cook. If cooking in a rush, chop beets into 1/2 inch cubes and roast at 425, checking for tenderness regularly.

Health Benefits

• Vitamins: B9 (Folate) and C

• Minerals: magnesium, potassium, iron, copper and phosphorus

• Lowers risk of colon cancer, stomach cancer, heart disease, birth defects, type II diabetes, osteoporosis and anemia.

Borscht Soup