Published April 28, 2004
Open your taste buds to the beauty of the beet
Much to my
delight, I have noticed several of the area's more upscale restaurants offering
dishes with beets in them. For those of you cringing in terror at the thought,
rein in your fears and open your palate.
For many the only introduction they have had to beets is the canned sweet-and-sour pickled variety served either by themselves or matched with hard-boiled eggs colored horribly with beet juice. While I admit to loving those pickled items, I still have an affinity for beets in a more natural state.
One of my favorite chefs is Nicola Gilardi of Gilardi's Ristorante. Chef Gilardi offers a beet-and goat-cheese-filled ravioli in a sage butter sauce which is one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. I am unsure of the exact sales figures, but for the dish to be continually offered, people other than me must have discovered this culinary masterpiece. For another taste of beets, Gilardi's and Clary's Restaurant both offer a beet salad that is also very tasty.
We are seeing beets pop up on more menus because they add so much to the plate. First, they can add a burst of color to an otherwise drab dish. Many people are used to seeing the red-hued beets, but today we can also get golden, white and even a white-and-red candy cane- striped variety. Beets also offer a natural, earthy sweetness you cannot find in other vegetables.
A bonus: Beets are good for you. They contain potassium and magnesium. If you're lucky enough to buy beets that still have the tops attached, don't throw those away. The tops have a spinach-like flavor and are very high in vitamin A, calcium and iron. They also are said to be a detoxifying agent that helps rid the body of impurities.
There are a couple of tips to remember when buying fresh beets. Look for beets that are smaller in size because the smaller the beet, the better the flavor. Choose firm beets without blemishes. Seek those with the tops still attached because they are great when sauté with a little butter and garlic. Beets will keep in the refrigerator for two to three weeks.