Beets are jam packed with nutritional benefits. Yeah, we know, they weren’t cool until recently. That’s because people associated them with scarcity. For so long, we’ve moved away from what was in season, choosing the bounty at the grocery store that knows no season. Finally, we are realizing taste is seasonal. When we eat in season, our foods taste better and have higher nutritional values. Beets are great storage crops and like cold weather growing. in our area, they can be grown almost year round. Try growing them yourself this year!
Ingredients:
- Beets
- Balsamic Vinegar
Instructions:
- Wash beets and chop off greens (set aside for sauteing or smoothies for later)
- Cut beets in half
- Place into tin foil and drizzle with a little balsamic-for about 3 beets we used 1 tsp of vinegar)
- Close foil and roast at 375 for about 45 minutes. They’ll be ready when you smell the vinegar. To test, use a knife. If inserted easily, they’re done
- Allow to cool in foil about 10 minutes
- Unwrap and peel off skins (they should slide off) and slice into pieces
- Enjoy on their own, topped on greens, or with some goat cheese!
Nutritional Benefits (in 1 cup of beets):
- Folate: 34% of daily needs; needed for nervous system function, blood cell growth
- Manganese: 28% of daily needs, needed for bone and dental health
- Potassium: 15% of daily needs, helps reduce blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health
- Fiber: 14%, improves digestive health, helps regulate blood sugar levels, lowers risk of many cancers, especially colorectal
- High in anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory
Nutrient Information Source: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=49
