Beets are one of my favorite vegetables. I love them roasted. Slow oven roasting brings out the sweetness. Pair them with other root veggies like carrots, tubers like potatoes and bulbs like onions and garlic and you have a great entree or side dish.
Golden and red beets are cousins to turnips. These root vegetables can be eaten raw, cooked or pickled. The juice is used as a dye and can be hard to wash off your skin. Handle carefully or use gloves. Store beets in the refrigerator. Beets are a good source of iron and phyto-nutrients called betalains. Betanin provides antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support for the body.
The greens can be eaten raw in salads or added to soups or stews. Baby greens are often found in Mesclun mixes.