I always hated beets, probably because my first experience with them came from a can. My second experience was at a restaurant, and the beets were rubbery, undercooked and cold. I never would have given them a third thought, had not my naturopathic doctor who was treating me for fibromyalgia and chemical sensitivities recommended them as a part of my detoxification program.
I have since discovered that beets only taste good two ways: totally raw and sliced/grated very thin in a salad, or roasted thoroughly. There is no in-between or you have a musty aftertaste that detracts the inherent sweetness of this amazing root vegetable.
Eating a rainbow for health may sound cliche, but there is a lot of healing power packed in the bright pigments of fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids and lutein both found in yellow beets each have their own magic properties.
Diced radishes roasted with the beets add a great contrast with both flavor and color. Radishes lose some of their spicy heat during roasting and add a complex flavor so the dish doesn’t become cloying. Radishes are also known to be detoxifying.
The most delicious foods require the least ingredients!
To make:
Scrub 4 large yellow beetroots and slice into 1/4 inch slices
Dice 1 bunch radishes into small cubes
Coat evenly with olive or coconut oil
Roast at 375 degrees F for 35 minutes
Sprinkle with sea salt. Salty and sweet! If you eat dairy, these also are delicious with a dollop of homemade sour cream or some goat cheese. This is also a great way to get kids to eat vegetables!
Razi Berry, Founder and Publisher of Naturopathic Doctor News & Review (ndnr.com) and NaturalPath (thenatpath.com), has spent the last decade as a natural medicine advocate and marketing whiz. She has galvanized and supported the naturopathic community, bringing a higher quality of healthcare to millions of North Americans through her publications. A self-proclaimed health-food junkie and mother of two; she loves all things nature, is obsessed with organic gardening, growing fruit trees (not easy in Phoenix), laughing until she snorts, and homeschooling. She is a little bit crunchy and yes, that is her real name.
