In the Past: North Africa is believed to be the original home of the hearty root vegetable we know as the beet. Both the leaves and the root were consumed by the Romans. Eventually white beets were developed and grown as livestock feed, and red sugar beets were grown for processing into sugar and alcohol.
In the Soil: The root of the beet is quite round, and supports broad leaves that extend vertically on long, typically red, stalks.
In the Kitchen: Beets are one of the more hearty root vegetables, with a distinct earthy taste. They are often dark red, though there are gold and yellow varieties and one red/white striped version called Chioggia. Beets are quite versatile; they can be roasted along with other root vegetables, added to soups or stews, shredded raw into salads, fermented as pickled beets, or juiced. The green tops are also edible, baby greens can be added to a salad, and larger greens can be sautéed. Because of their strong color, beets make an excellent natural dye for art projects.
In the Body: Beets are a great source of vitamins A, C, and riboflavin, as well as minerals potassium, magnesium iron and copper. They are thought to support digestion and stimulate the appetite.
In Connecticut: Beets grown in Connecticut are generally available July through mid-October, though proper storage may extend availability.
