Things You’ll Need
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2 pounds medium beets
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Olive oil
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Kosher salt, to taste
Beets are notorious for staining hands and other foods.
You may have grimaced at the thought of eating beets as a child, but if properly prepared and roasted, you just may find yourself asking for seconds. This deep, plum-colored vegetable is one of the most nutritious vegetables you will ever eat. Beets, which are low in fat, contain high amounts of nutrients such as iron, potassium, fiber and vitamins A and C. They also a good source of complex carbohydrates and antioxidants. The earthy flavor of beets can be off-putting to some, but roasting the beets brings out its natural sweetness when it's done properly.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 2
Cut off the tops of the beats and the tails, and scrub thoroughly under warm water with a vegetable brush.
Step 3
Rub olive oil generously over each beet.
Step 4
Place the beets in the center of a large sheet of aluminum foil
Step 5
Sprinkle salt and pepper over the beets, to taste.
Step 6
Fold up the corners of the aluminum foil to covers the beets. Use a second sheet of aluminum foil if necessary to create a pouch.
Step 7
Place the aluminum pouch of beets in the oven and roast for 1 to 2 hours, depending on the size of the beets. Check the beets every 15 minutes after 1 hour by inserting a fork in the beets. When the fork easily penetrates the tender beets, they are ready.
Step 8
Remove the beets from the oven and leave to cool before peeling the outer skins.
Step 9
Chop up the beets into bite-sized pieces and serve. Add additional seasoning or dressings if you would like.
Tip
Optional additions to flavor the beets include sweetened balsamic vinegar, brown sugar and orange juice.
You can also roast the beets in foil on a hot grill away from the flames.
