Fire engine red, golden yellow, deep purple, or candy cane striped, their range of colors and flavors never ceases to amaze me.No matter the variety, just a few slices of these juicy, vibrant roots can transform any ho-hum dish into an extravagant delicacy.Figuring out when to harvest your beets depends on a few factors, including the variety, the time of year they were planted, and the average temperature where they are growing.While some people argue that the smaller roots have more flavor and juiciness, others prefer to allow them to reach a larger size before picking.Allowing them to grow a bit larger is certainly fine, but be warned that if you wait too long to harvest, they may become fibrous, soft, or wrinkled, and will eventually start to lose some of their succulent flavor.If the greens are beginning to look wilted – and you know the crop is near its time to harvest – the root is likely passing its prime and should be picked right away.When you have decided it’s time to harvest, use a garden fork or knife to gently loosen the soil around each plant, being careful not to accidentally slice into any of the roots.Tip: If you water your crop a couple of days before you plan to harvest, it will help the plants to come out of the soil more easily.It is best to only wash beetroots with water right before you plan to use them, as excess moisture will encourage faster rotting.Prepare your storage crate by pouring some sand or sawdust on the bottom and layer your beets on top.Once chopped or sliced to the desired size, spread them out on a baking tray and flash freeze them, to prevent them from sticking together.Tip: Vacuum sealing is a great way to prevent freezer burn and extend storage life.The liquid produced by this ferment is known as kvass, a healthy beet juice tonic popular in Russia and Eastern Europe for boosting the immune system.As the beets stew in a brine of water and salt, beneficial bacteria begin to grow and multiply.These healthy bacteria consume the natural sugars in the beets, producing lactic and acetic acid, which in turn preserves the vegetables.These healthy probiotics, similar to those found in yogurt, create a delicious pickled condiment that will populate your gut with beneficial microbes.Pour just enough brine into the crock or jar, cover the vegetables completely, and place a weight on top.Tighten the lid and keep your crock or jar at room temperature in a dark spot in the kitchen for about a week or so, or until bubbles to appear on the surface.You want to examine it periodically to make sure the veggies are still covered in liquid, and that there is nothing moldy or funky growing on top.If a white film appears on top of the ferment, do not fear – it is most likely just yeast and poses no health risk.The length of time this can take will vary depending on the ambient temperature and brine concentration, but you can expect the process to take approximately 7-10 days.It has a salty, slightly sour flavor and can also be used as a base for making borscht, the traditional Eastern European soup.The most wonderful things about beets is that they can be eaten in such a huge variety of different ways, each bringing out unique texture and flavor profiles of the vegetable.One of the most popular dishes made from beets is borscht, the deep red, hearty Eastern European soup – that’s often more like a stew – traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve and Easter.The red roots give it the earthy color and flavor, and its characteristic slightly sour undertones come from the use of beet kvass as a base.Roast them to bring out their juicy sweetness, ferment them for a hint of sourness, or eat them raw for a delightful crunch.A bit easier and less time consuming to prepare than a fermented version, our sister site, Foodal has a wonderful recipe for quick-pickled beets and turnips.Kick off a hearty dinner with this light and fresh green salad featuring arugula, beets, and goat cheese.Incredibly healthy, refreshing, and delicious, this recipe from Foodal will surely provide an energetic start to your day.
Edward R. Forte
Author