Have you ever seen those deep red beets at a farm stand and skipped right by them? Here are five reasons you should never skip by those Real Maine beets again:
Beets are nutritious
- Beets are rich in antioxidants!
- Beets contain high amounts of fiber, which can help maintain a healthy body weight and promote digestive health.
- A ½ cup of beets is a good source of folate, which helps make healthy red blood cells.
- Beets have riboflavin (also know as Vitamin B), which works with other B-vitamins to help your body grow and release energy from the carbohydrates you eat.
- Beets are fat free, saturated fat free, cholesterol free and low sodium.
Choosing fresh beets
- When choosing beets, look for smooth, hard, round beets that do not have cuts or bruises. (Look for golden beets too!)
- Make sure to scrub the beets well before cooking, but leave an inch or so of the green tops on to minimize “bleeding.”
- Did you know you can also eat the green leaves on beets? Choose beets with fresh leaves Take off the greens two inches from the root and store in a separate plastic bag. Cook greens within two days. You can keep beets in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Find fresh beets at farmers’ markets and farm stands. They store well, so don’t hesitate to stock up!
Wondering what to do with those fresh beets? Maine SNAP-Ed has an easy and delicious recipe for roasted vegetables that can easily be adapted for any number of people. Beets are an eligible product for the Maine Senior FarmShare Program. Learn about MSFP, and find more easy recipes, online.
