beetroot

[libbyloulou]

hi, have just lifted a dozen golfball sized beetroot, can someone please tell me how to prepare and cook these ? I know to screw the leaves off and not cut, but that's all. done a search, but found nothing.When do you peel? thanks.

[willowstar]

I'm no expert, but I remember roasting them then peeling them once they were out of the oven and had cooled down. Also remembered when I boiled them I peeled them after they had cooked and cooled down.

[balliol]

Boil,steam or roast first then the peel just falls off with a little rub

[pigletwillie]

Or just top and tail, peel if you want and grate raw onto salads.

[libbyloulou]

Thanks for you replies, ok, so boil,for how long? would you test it like a potato, with a fork?

[mrs potato head]

If you plan on pickling try using balsamic vinegar, you'll never look back.
yum yum.

[Alexx]

Libby, this is my invention and it tastes lovely on a hot summer day. It's called beetroot cold soup. It has lots of ingredients but is easy to make, and you can modify it to your taste and skip some of them or add others.

Firstly wash the beets thoroughly and boil them until ready (test with a fork). Reserve the stock and leave it to cool.

Meanwhile dice the beetroot (peel it first if you like), half a cucumber, some radishes (I just quarter them), and plenty of fresh herbs to your taste (parsley, dill and basil go well). You can also add some diced spring onions and/or greens of garlic. For carnivores you can add some diced cooked ham.

Place all the diced stuff in a bowl, pour the cooled stock over, add salt to taste, and several ice cubes. Serve with a dollop of soured cream or greek yogurt.

Hope you like it

[carlseawolf]

screw of the leaves , wash the rest of it , place in pan of boiling water for 45 min , leave to cool and peel , the best beetroot you have ever tasted in under an hour !

[Flummery]

When you've cooked it (as above like Carl) I sometimes make a white sauce to heat it back up and it goes a lovely girly pink. Aaaah!

[Two_Sheds]

I never bother to cook it. Just eat little ones raw in salad, or juice them up with a basic carrot and apple (crapple) recipe. so good for you

[rustylady]

You should only need 45 minutes for large beetroot. Golfball size I would say 10 to 20 minutes max. Screw off the leaves and long root, boil or steam, and then the skin will just rub off.

[terrier]

It seems from all your posts that no one eats the leaves? What a waste. They're delicious cooked or raw. One of our main Beetroot dishes is Borsch. Everything goes in. Flesh, peel and leaves.

[borage]

I don't have much in the way of leaves, the sparrows have decided that they like the taste of them

[Stacey]

You mustn't peel beetroot before boiling.

may i ask why?

[terrier]

I've been told that peeling beetroot before cooking causes it to 'bleed'. That is also why the leaves should be twisted off rather then cut. Cooking the unpeeled root retains the integrity of the vegetable.