We got the Beets during February’s Harvest of the Month! Most beets grown in Wisconsin are red, but there are also pink, purple, white, and yellow beets, and even ones with candy cane stripes! Red beets get their bright red color from pigments called betalains, also known for their cancer-fighting properties. Beet juice can also be used as a natural dye! The Victorians dyed their hair with beet juice in 19th Century England.
Beets provide us with many key nutrients such as Vitamin C which helps our wounds heal, is important for the immune system, and is an antioxidant, which protects our cells from damage. Folate helps prevent birth defects, is needed to make DNA, and helps your cells divide, including red blood cells. And beets provide us with potassium which helps maintain normal blood pressure.
Try mixing cooked beets into mashed potatoes for a pop of color! Add grated raw beets to salads. Cube and roast with olive oil and dried herbs for a healthy and tasty side dish! Beets are related to Swiss Chard and both the beet root and leaves can be eaten. Fresh beets grown in Wisconsin are available from June through October. We got the Beets this month so keep exploring new foods!
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