Re: Beet Use

On Wed 17 Feb, Grem, Beth A wrote:
> Hi All,
> 
>   Here's a dumb question- I've been reading how to grow beets, and it is
> mentioned how delicious young raw beets are. I've only eaten them pickled.
> What do raw beets taste like?  I'm trying to decide whether to grow them or
> not.  If I buy a beet at the store (full size since they don't sell baby
> beets) , could I slice it and eat it raw or would that be like eating a raw
> potato?  Inquiring minds need to know.
> 
> Beth
> 
Don't be fooled. A small beetroot is not a natural thing as regards
maturity, flavour and sweetness. They have been created on the premise
that small is beautiful, which is the opposite to what goes in grading
things like apples.
 They come small by various devices.
1) by overcrowding, not a good thing when pushed too far because this amounts
to starvation
2) watch out for beet that have been peeled down to size
e.g. in small trays of uniform size.
3) by pulling early at which time the flavours and sugars have not had a chance.

From my personal experience by far the best flavour is the beet that has
had every chance to grow fast, has had adequate sunshine, and is just
reaching maturity, not old age.

I suggest you try for yourself grow beet in clusters, thin down to three
per station (and you can replant the thinnings while they are small!)
then pull some at golfball size, pull some at tennis ball size and let
a few go on bigger, then see which ones best meet your requirements.

As to cooking them. I personally do not fancy raw beetroot but neither
do I like vinegar so you can boil them for hours until tender ( or I
use my pressure cooker at 15lbs psi for about 15mins) and then peel and
eat.

Be careful on raw beet juice, it can be a purgative.
 Allan  & Pam

-- 

Allan Day  Hereford HR2 7AU allan@crwys.demon.co.uk
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index