In Season: Beets

Beets photo by Danielle Scott via Flickr/Creative Commons

Stepping into a big box grocery store, it’s easy to think that all produce grows all year round—but that’s hardly the case. In this series, we’ll highlight one in-season produce pick a week.

Beets

Nutrition: Beets have plenty of fiber, and are rich in manganese, folic acid, and potassium. Beet leaves are also packed with nutrients, so buy the bright veggie whole if you can.

Why that’s important: Fiber keeps you feeling full and improves digestive wellness; manganese helps form tissues and regulate bodily processes; folic acid turns food to energy; and potassium keeps cells, tissues, and organs healthy.

Where to find them: At farmers’ markets around the state.

Five beet recipes:

1. Beet Hash With Eggs
via Whole Living

For a hearty but healthy meal, combine beets with potatoes and onions and top the mixture with eggs. Smaller beets will work best in this recipe, since they take less time to cook.

2. Beet Salad with Carrot, Quinoa, and Spinach
via Cookie and Kate

Beets, spinach, carrot, quinoa, avocado, edamame, and almonds make this colorful salad one you’ll actually want to eat. If you have a spiralizer, it will be even easier to prepare.

3. Black Bean Beet Burgers
via Minimalist Baker

These gluten-free, vegan burgers are a much more nutritious option than classic ground beef. And since the patties contain quinoa, beans, and walnuts, you won’t have to worry about sacrificing protein.

4. Beet Pesto Pizza with Kale and Goat Cheese
via Honest Cooking

This unique pizza, which uses a beet-based pesto in place of red sauce, is miles away from greasy pepperoni. The recipe calls for gluten-free dough, but classic crust, pita, or naan bread would work, too.

5. Beet-Strawberry Smoothie
via Live Simply

With strawberry and banana complementing the beets, this smoothie is a produce-packed breakfast option. This recipe also calls for yogurt, which makes it filling enough to serve as a meal.