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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Beet Greens - The Next Superfood!

Beet Greens - The next Superfood.  By Lavende&Lemonade

Chia seeds, quinoa, kale, coconut water...they've all hit the spotlight as trendy superfoods thanks to their antioxidant and vitamin content.  I'm predicting that beet greens are going to be one of the up-and-comers on the super food list!

I used to just cut off the greens, toss them into the compost bin, and eat the beets.  Then one day I started to wonder...are they edible??  It turns out they not only are edible, they are overflowing with healthy goodness - what great news!  When I buy beets, now its like a BOGO sale:  Buy the beets and get another meal with the beet greens for free! 


In terms of health benefits, beet greens are brimming with Betanin, which is an antioxidant, helps detox the body, and is an anti-inflammatory.  They're also loaded with vitamin K which helps regulate blood clotting, vitamin A and Iron.  What's not to love?  The website whfoods gives great insight and details on the health benefits and is my go-to for learning more about all the fruits and veggies.

In the garden, as beets are growing (so easy, read more about how to grow beets from kitchen scraps and in containers from these other posts), you can harvest the greens as you need them.  The roots, or the traditional beets, keep growing just fine.  And in the meantime, we get a garden full of lush greens that are ready to eat all summer long.

Beet greens go great in a pesto, can be chopped and mixed into salads, or sauteed like chard or kale.  A great addition to the leafy green repertoire!  Try this recipe for Beet Greens with Whole Wheat Pasta and Goat Cheese for a simple healthy dinner that will have your body saying "thanks!"




55 comments:

  1. I don't think I have ever had beet greens before, but I would love to try them!!

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  2. Something new to try--are they bitter? I hadn't heard of these before, thanks for sharing!

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    1. They're earthy...I definitely recommend gently sauteing them. They're not all that different from chard when it comes to using them for cooking! I'd love to hear what you think of them!

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  3. I have no idea about this.. thanks for sharing it..

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  4. I've never eaten beet greens in my life, though now I think I know what I'm going to be adding to my grocery list.

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  5. I usually love greens, so I will have to try this. I don't like beets, but I can get the greens from my mom. She does. Thanks

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  6. I'd ever heard of Beet Greens either! You should add this article to my link! ;-) http://thatsmashedup.com/linky-june-deaf-blind-fruits-vegetables/

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    1. Great idea, thanks for the suggestion! I'm happy to participate :)

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  7. I never heard of beet greens before but it sounds really good.

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  8. I'm try to eat healthier, thank you so much for the useful post :)

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  9. I've never tried these, but it sounds like they couldn't be hard to mix into any recipe! You could put them with salads, pastas, pizzas, a ton of items!

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  10. I like beets but never had the greens. I will be trying it the next time I get beets.

    Michelle F.

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  11. We had beet greens the other day. I liked that they didn't have that dirt taste that regular beets can sometime have. They are so good for you!

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  12. Never heard of Beet Greens, but they look good and I'll back them to become the next healthy superfood. Nice post.

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  13. I am not a big beet person. I think I was forced to as a child and that determined my opinion of them as an adult. Ha ha, but good to know that all of the plant has some valuable nutrients.

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  14. I'm still discovering beets, so I'll have to try the greens next time I buy some. Thanks!

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  15. I would have never figured you can actually eat the beet breans. I love the beets though, one of my favorites.

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  16. I love beets but never tho about the greenies, I might give it a try next time we are in the store

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  17. I haven't tried them yet, but I'm up for it. I do love most greens!

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  18. These sound so healthy! I can't wait to try them :)

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  19. I have never tried them before but they can't be any worse than beets. I need yo find ways to eat them besides pickled. I need more anti-inflammatory vegetables because of my RA.

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    1. I'll be adding a few beet and beet green recipes in the next few weeks...I'm addicted. :) If you peel the raw beets, cube them, and let them gently boil until tender - they're very good (and much better than pickeld!)

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  20. I have never tried beet greens! I love almost all of the greens I have tried. I will have to try them and see if I like the taste if not I will just and some seasoning to them so I can get all of those health benefits that are in them!

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  21. I have never tried beet greens either! I am not super adventurous so I hope I like them!

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  22. I never heard of these. I'll definitely look for them when I go to the Farmer's market on Saturday

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  23. I love all those! And we love to blend beets and carrots for a juice... I find it yummilicious and it is amazingly nutritious as well!

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  24. Sometimes, I really have to be in the mood to eat beets, but I really do like them in a good salad. I love their color too!

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  25. I love to eat greens but i haven't tried beet greens. Thanks for sharing.

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  26. I have not tried beet greens! But I bet they are good! My granny said she loves em!

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  27. I love greens! especially beet greens. Although I wonder how much of the goodness is left after a good old fashion southern style cooking. :)

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  28. I've never tried these. I recently started the 21 Day Fix and may have to toss them in the menu rotation!

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  29. Can you believe I've never had beats? Thanks for sharing!

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  30. I love a green smoothie and when you add coconut water to it~it's super healthy. Greens are great and if you have a good machine to make a smoothie the weight will drop off.

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    1. Sounds great! I've got a bunch growing now in the garden, will have to give them a try with a splash of coconut water and see how it is. Thanks for the tip :)

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  31. I never knew you could eat beet greens. I am going to tell my dad as he loves trying lots of new foods. Thanks for sharing!

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  32. I love beet greens and make a beet soup with them too. It is so tasty and makes the soup really yummy too.

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  33. I did actually hear someone talking about beet greens the other day! Ha! I've never tried but anything for good health, I would!

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  34. Really? I always did what you did and threw them away. You say they can be eaten raw? I´ll check the site you mentioned to know more.

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    1. They're a bit like collard greens or swiss chard, so I'd recommend sauteing them first. I'll be putting up some recipes that I've made with the greens soon! :)

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  35. I've never had beet greens. I don't usually like "alternative" salad but everything is worth a shot!

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  36. I love almost all green food so I am sure I will love this. I have yet to try it but now it is on my list

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  37. I need to search what is the local name for green bits because vegetable is not only beneficial in health but also in our pocket.

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  38. I tried the beet greens but I didn't like the bitter after taste..

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    1. If you "sweat" them a bit first before eating (sauteed a few minutes in a pan with the lid on) the bitter aftertaste mellows and they're actually quite delicious. I've posted a recipe for the greens if you're game for trying again :)
      http://lavendeandlemonade.blogspot.com/2014/07/beet-greens-with-goat-cheese-and-whole.html

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  39. I am not sure that I have tired beet greens, but I would. I love any kind of greens.

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  40. I will have to try that next time. I love salads but not a fan of just regular head lettuce.

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  41. Love Beet Greens I use to grow Beets mostly for the greens. My bunnies also love them!

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  42. My father is juicing red beets. Does beet green come from the same family? I bet this will compliment salads too!

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    1. Absolutely, the beet greens are just the leafy part that grows above the red beet (or any color beet, for that matter). When you find them with greens still attached, its like a free gift with purchase of your red beets. :) They also grow very easily in the garden

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  43. I never heard about beet greens!!
    Thanks for sharing, they indeed are nest superfood!

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  44. Wow I would be interested to see if we start seeing beet greens on the menu at restaurants. Very interesting post!

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  45. Hmm beet green pesto? I have to try that. Got a recipe for it?

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  46. Sounds very sensible to me. Do you get any of the beet colour leeching out if you cook them? Those veins look pretty and red :-)

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  47. Beet greens are called chard and I absolutely love them! I prefer to sautee them in some extra virgin olive oitl and garlic. So good!

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