The beetroot season is in full swing and will last until late fall, and while beetroot and its juice have been shown to be some of the most antioxidant foods in the world, knowing how to cook them can be a challenge at times most beets, or how to include them in your diet. Beetroot fresh from the ground look so untamed, have a rough outer skin and discolour your fingers during preparation. Whether you love beets you can’t stand them, there are good reasons to include them in your diet.
Here’s how to make the most of the abundance of beetroot we’ll see in markets in the central and western parts of the United States that are looking more alive than ever.
The heart-healthy veggies are well worth getting your hands on (caution: gloves required) to include their powerful antioxidants in your diet. So stock up on your local grocery store or market and choose from these seven unique ideas on how to innovate with beets.
The health benefits of beets
Beetroot contains active phytochemicals as well as a variety of minerals and vitamins, making it one of the most heart-healthy foods you can eat. As a side note, roots soak up minerals from rich soil, which is why beets have so many beneficial properties. Beets contain flavonoids, polyphenols, and are a rich source of potassium, sodium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, and manganese, as well as folic acid, iron, and vitamin C, all of which help boost your immune system. Beets have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease because they are naturally high in nitrates, which are converted to nitric oxide in the body, which is beneficial for endurance, performance and, according to a study, helps lower blood pressure.
Beets get their deep color from a unique antioxidant called betalain, which has anti-inflammatory properties and promotes a healthy immune system, as well as reducing inflammation in the body and protecting against heart disease. A study conducted in a laboratory resulted in reduced kidney inflammation when subjects were given beetroot juice and beetroot extract.
Beets are better for the environment
As healthy as turnips are for you, they are just as good for the environment – and when used as a natural dye to dye fabrics, they contribute to less polluted water and by-products as clothes made with man-made dyes end up in the water systems. So we’ve included a way to make your own beet-tie dyed fabric as well as a beet stain for your lips to create your own organic, sustainable products and feel good about yourself when you don’t create the harsher manufacturing practices that chemical dyes use .
Overall, beets are good for your health and the environment: here are seven ways to make incredible recipes and crafts.
7 beetroot recipes to make the most of the beetroot season
1. Beetroot Dips – Make hummus or non-dairy yogurt
Beets have a touch of earthy aromas, a sweet aftertaste and are extremely dense. When cooked and mixed together, they create a smooth, mousse-like texture, just like the consistency of hummus, which is why the pink dip has been on trend lately.
One of the best beet recipes to enjoy in the last few days of summer and throughout the fall season is beet hummus, and of course, beets will become your first choice for hummus if you like a sweeter taste, that is, long chickpeas.
If this is your first time making beet hummus, experiment by adding the smooth creamy dip to a vegetable burger, toast, or vegetable sandwich before dipping in with a pita chip. For the full beet experience, take your leftover beets and bake the rest in thinly sliced chips to dip into your beet hummus. Well, that’s something to brag about.
For a different dip idea, try a dairy-free beet yogurt sauce that is similar to tzatziki sauce but sweeter and more colorful. The difference is that this texture is lighter and creamier than hummus and calls for garlic and mint.
2. Beet chips for the beet dip
Give the potatoes a break and bake your thinly sliced beets into crispy, salty chips. This sweet, crunchy snack earned viral attention on TikTok for its healthier and nicer version of the classic potato chip.
To make beet chips, you need a mandolin cutter to thinly slice the beets. Then you put them in a bowl with olive oil and your seasonings like salt and rosemary and lay them out on parchment paper and put them in the oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until they are crispy. It’s the perfect sweet and salty snack.
3. Beetroot Gnocchi by Mark Bittman
Bring color to the classic gnocchi with just four plant-based ingredients from the New York Times Beetroot Gnocchi by Mark Bittman. For this recipe, you’ll need a food processor to add a beet puree to your starchy potato batter, and then dip it in.
4. Barley risotto with beets and vegetables by Mark Bittman
Another beet noodle recipe from Mark Bittman is beet and vegetable barley risotto, which requires both beetroot and vegetables, a zero waste recipe.
Beet puree can be mixed into any type of pasta, just like with a marinara sauce. Add hearty toppings like sage and pecans for the ultimate umami aftertaste.
5. Beet salad
Don’t throw away the long, leafy stalks of your beets, as they make a delicious salad or a bitter sautéed melody. Beet greens are extremely rich in vitamin C; one cup of cooked beet greens contains around 60 percent of your daily value with few calories, sugar and fat.
To make a beet salad, just wash the greens, dress them in sherry vinegar and lemon, and add your favorite salads like tomatoes, cucumbers and non-dairy feta. To enjoy a warm beetroot greens dish, saturate it in your pan with a little olive oil and garlic, and add hearty vegetables like mushrooms and peppers.
6. Beet Cupcakes from Minimalist Baker
Scooch over red velvet: get creative and celebrate special occasions with beet cupcakes coated with non-dairy cream cheese frosting made from beets. Beets have a naturally sweet taste and can be perfectly combined with chocolate, two very rich flavors. Try Minimalist Baker’s vegan recipe for a healthier cupcake option that mixes fudgy chocolate, zesty vanilla, and sweet beets and makes your own dairy-free cream cheese frosting with beet puree. Show your loved one, who is vegan, is health-conscious or just loves desserts, how to prepare delicious treats with beets.
7. Beetroot and coconut no-bake tart
For a refreshing summer dessert that does not need to be baked, prepare this coconut cake with a naturally colored beet filling and a homemade oat crust. All it takes is 15 minutes to prepare the tart and let the refrigerator do the rest of the work. Beet powder is available online and at most local healthy food markets. You can also add it to your smoothies for its health benefits and pretty looks.
Creative craft ideas with beets
1. Beetroot batik tablecloth
Coloring turnips, and if you are new to turnips, you’ll likely find out the hard way. However, this is good news for anyone looking to get creative with fabrics. Make tie-dye shirts this fall or dye your linen tablecloth with turnips in a pretty pinkish reddish color. Follow this guide on how to color beets from scratch by bringing the beets to a boil, letting them cool and in a food processor, sifting them and pressing the puree so the extracts produce as much liquid as possible, the process is a lot easier than it seems. To get even more creative, add turmeric to the mixture by following the same steps you did with the beets.
7. Beetroot lip spot with coconut oil
This fall, fill your makeup closet with eco-friendly and cruelty-free products like a homemade beetroot lip stain that gives off a natural blush color. Follow this recipe to make Zero Waste Beet Lip Stain with just two ingredients: Vibrant Beetroot and Coconut Oil. Loaded with essential vitamins, this moisturizing product eliminates any fear of bringing toxins onto your skin. The only caveat is that you will have to reapply the lip stain often because it is made of beets.
