Beetroot

[Solitaire]

I think they will be ready soon.
Do I have to cook them or are they peeled and eaten raw.

[Two_Sheds]

either, or

[Nicos]

I've never tried them raw...I presume to peel and grate them???

I've got my first 3 in a pan simmering away for tonights supper- as we speak!!!
YUM!!

If you've never cooked them before- wash off soil and break the stems at about2-3" long. Then simmer in a covered pan for about 20 mins-1/2 hr depending on size. ( no salt) To test if they are ready- remove the largest from pan and spike with a sharp knife- should go in easily.
Try not to damage the skin too much cos they'll bleed and then you lose the flavour.
I leave mine to cool down in the water so they continue to cook for a little while longer- then the skinn just smudges off easily when cool- and you don't get scalded fingers!!!

How else do other peeps do theirs????

[Jerryfb]

Finely diced raw beetroot, cubes of feta cheese and crushed garlic. sprinkle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Delicious. You can roast them but they take a long time. best to do it at the golf all sized stage. Also good juiced. It's one of our main crops. Love it

[Solitaire]

Some great ideas there

[zazen999]

I do mine just like that Nicos, but chop them once cooled, add some mayo and cumin and mix up for a lovely side salad. Yummy.

[deezyb]

had some last night, cubed, fried in a little olive oil and some balsamic vinegar - delish

[LostGoddess]

I like to boil them whole (leave some stalk so all the red goodness doesn't leach out), then peel them, chop into large-ish cubes and roast them with olive oil, garlic, salt & pepper. Great warm but even better the next day with some chopped herbs added. Had that for my lunch today in fact.

[Lemon]

Beetroot leaves are tasty too! You can boil/steam lightly, or stir-fry with garlic. Colour bleeds a bit pinky but the leaves taste spinachy to me! And if you wont eat 'em my chooks will!

[Rocketron]

There are so many different ways to enjoy Beetroot I find it hard to understand why we only ever had them pickled as a kid. My parents were greengrocers, what's more !

[seasprout]

What everyou do wear an apron and or bib, that juice dont arf stain..!!

[toastie]

With last years crop tried cooking some by the boiling method - so messy - and some by the roasting method: pick when small(ish), wrap in foil, pop into a baking tray and pop into a warm oven for at least an hour (you can cook them when cooking other things). When they are cooked, use the foil to peel the skin off them. You can (hopefully) peel off the skins without getting all your hands, surfaces etc etc red and messy. Use cooked veg in whatever way you like.

[Lemon]

I know you can roast with skins, but I'm a bit worried by the earth and stuff hiding on skin. I peel mine raw with veg peeler, chop into wedges, season with salt and pepper, add herbs like thyme, a trickle of olive oil, and a blob of honey. Wrap into a foil parcel and pop in oven when you're cooking other stuff. Leave for about an hour.

I had it with a roast veg cous-cous salad and it was fab! It's also good with some mixed salad leaves (with rocket).

[Solitaire]

Got a couple simmering in a pan

[Beckybex]

I love beetroot, eat it raw and cooked. Am having it with feta cheese tonight. I've also made a pasta sauce with it, puree cooked with creme fraiche and a bit of stock. The kids love it and its the most amazing colour, you have to see to believe! Going to try it next in a cake recipe, apparently you can just substitute for carrot!