Beets Delivery or Pickup

Beetroots, usually simply called beets, are a root vegetable used in cuisines worldwide. Harvested from summer through late autumn, beets store well. Mature red or golden beets deliver a bitter, earthy flavor when eaten raw, and they become candy-like when you grill, roast, or steam them. You can also enjoy early-season, younger beets raw for a tender, tasty treat. These root vegetables boast an array of essential vitamins, minerals, and healthy plant compounds.

It's no wonder, then, that beets and beet products are increasing in popularity in natural foods markets. However, beets are not new foods at all! Evidence exists that people in ancient Babylon, Greece, Rome, and certain areas of North Africa ate the root vegetable. Ancient civilizations used beets' stalks and leaves in cooking, but they used the roots for medicinal purposes.

Something closer to a modern beet appeared in the late 1500s in Italy and Germany. This version of the vegetable differed from ancient beet-like foods thanks to smaller leaves and stalks, as well as larger roots. German chemists started making sugar from beets in the 1700s. This method is used today with a subtype of beet known as the sugar beet that is beige or white and has much larger roots than common table beets.

The type of beets most widely known in the United States today are garden beets. Various subtypes of garden beets exist, such as:

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Look for whole beetroots that are free of blemishes, bruises, cuts, and nicks. If you want your beets to deliver a tender texture, go for small to medium-sized versions. Larger beets are usually tougher and can be harder to cut as well.

Beets should seem firm and heavy for their size and have firm, smooth roots. If you go with beets with their greens still attached, the greens should look fresh and be brightly colored and not be mushy or wilted. Perky, pert greens can be braised, sauteed, or steamed, but keep in mind that greens will wilt a long time before the root goes bad.

You'll find beets available throughout the year. However, winter is prime time for baby beets, the sweeter and more tender type.

You can keep beets without their tops loose in an unsealed plastic bag in your refrigerator. If you keep beets away from moisture, they can last for a few weeks up to around two months this way.

Greens suck moisture away from the root, so you'll want to remove greens from roots before storing beets. Leave about an inch of stem attached to help prevent the vegetable from losing nutrients and color when you cook it.

If you buy your beets with the greens attached, you can wrap the greens loosely in a damp paper towel and store them in the crisper. You should use beet greens within a few days.

You can also pickle beets like you would cucumber. Beets can last indefinitely if canned properly. If you don't have a canner, you can also store beets in a sealed jar in your refrigerator for a few weeks.