Beets are a versatile and nutritious root vegetable that has been cultivated for centuries. Whether you’re looking to add some color to your plate or boost your health, beets are an excellent choice. In this memoir-style post, I want to share my love for beets and how they have become a staple in my rural living and homesteading lifestyle.
Growing up, I never really cared for beets. They were always boiled or canned and served with vinegar, which didn’t appeal to me at all. However, when I moved out of the city and started living on a farm in the countryside, everything changed. My husband is a big fan of roasted vegetables, so we decided to give roasted beets a try – it was love at first bite! The sweet earthy flavor was nothing like what I remembered from my childhood.
Since then, we’ve been growing our own beets in our garden every year. They’re easy to grow and care for – just sow the seeds directly into the soil after the last frost date in springtime and water regularly until harvest time in late summer or early fall. Be sure to thin them out as they grow so that each plant has enough space to develop fully.
When it comes time to harvest our beets, we use them in many different ways. Roasting is still our favorite method because it brings out their natural sweetness even more. We also enjoy pickling them with apple cider vinegar and spices like cloves or cinnamon – this makes for a tasty side dish or addition to salads.
One thing that surprised me about beets is how nutritious they are! They’re packed with vitamins A & C as well as fiber, potassium, manganese, and folate. Plus, beet greens (the leafy tops) are edible too! You can sauté them with garlic & olive oil or add them raw into smoothies for an extra nutrient boost.
Overall, if you haven’t tried beets yet, I highly recommend giving them a chance. They’re versatile, nutritious, and delicious – what more could you ask for? Whether you grow your own or buy them from the grocery store, there are so many ways to incorporate beets into your diet and enjoy their unique flavor.