I grew up on canned beets. Yuck. I never tasted a fresh beet until I was in my 30s. What a difference! When small, fresh beets can be as sweet as candy.
Here’s an easy way to cook them, especially if you’re already cooking something in the oven:
Trim the beets and wash them. If they are large, cut them into pieces.
Trim and quarter a small red onion.
Place the beets and the onion on a sheet of aluminum foil. Brush them with olive oil. Add a bit of seasoning if you like; coriander seed works well. (Don’t add anything acid, like tomato, lemon juice, or vinegar– it’ll eat through the aluminum foil.)
Bake at 350 or so for an hour. The temperature is flexible, so you can roast them with whatever else is in the oven.
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Don’t throw out those beet greens! They are nutritious and tasty, I stir fry them with onion greens and garlic. A little fresh dill adds a nice flavor. A sprinkle of rice vinegar will help reduce any bitterness.
