.Golden Beets: Sunshine in the Garden
/If you think beets are only deep red, think again! Golden beets bring a beautiful burst of sunny yellow to the garden and the dinner table. With their mild, slightly sweet flavor and gorgeous golden color, they are a favorite for roasting, salads, soups and more.
At Nourse Farm, we love growing and sharing the many varieties of vegetables that make eating seasonally interesting — and golden beets are a perfect example. They look a little different from their red cousins, but they are every bit as versatile.
What Are Golden Beets?
Golden beets are a variety of Beta vulgaris, the same species that includes red beets, white beets and Swiss chard. Instead of the familiar deep burgundy color, golden beets have flesh that ranges from bright yellow to warm orange-gold.
They tend to have a milder, sweeter and less earthy flavor than red beets. Their color also stays relatively bright when cooked, making them a beautiful addition to salads and vegetable dishes.
And there is another bonus: golden beets don't stain your hands, cutting boards and countertops nearly as much as red beets!
A Short History of Beets
Beets have a surprisingly long history. Their wild ancestors originated in the Mediterranean region, where the leaves were initially valued as food. Ancient Greeks and Romans cultivated beets for their greens and eventually for their roots.
Over centuries of cultivation, farmers selected plants with larger, sweeter and more useful roots. This eventually gave rise to the many forms of beets we know today.
The familiar red beet became particularly popular in Europe, while golden, white and striped varieties developed alongside it.
Today, beets are grown throughout the world and are especially popular in Europe, North America and parts of Asia.
Golden beets may not be as familiar as red beets, but heirloom and specialty varieties have helped bring them back into the spotlight at farmers markets and farm stands.
How Are Golden Beets Grown?
Like other root vegetables, golden beets grow underground while their leafy tops grow above the soil.
Beets prefer loose, well-drained soil that allows their roots to expand easily. They grow best in cool weather, making them an excellent spring and fall crop here in Massachusetts.
Golden beet seeds are planted directly into the soil. Once they germinate, the young plants are thinned so that each beet has enough room to develop.
One interesting thing about beet seeds is that what looks like a single seed is actually a small cluster of seeds. That's why beet seedlings often emerge close together and need to be thinned.
As the roots develop, the portion of the beet growing above the soil gives farmers a clue about their size. The greens can also be harvested and eaten while the roots continue to develop.
A Cool-Season Favorite
Beets don't particularly love hot weather. They perform best during the cooler portions of the growing season, which is one reason you will often find them in abundance at farmers markets in spring and fall.
For Massachusetts growers, golden beets can be planted in spring for an early-season crop and again later in the summer for a fall harvest.
Fall-grown beets are especially sweet because cool temperatures encourage the plant to store more sugars in the root.
Where Are Golden Beets Grown?
Beets are grown commercially in many parts of the world, including Europe, North America and Asia.
The United States grows beets for both fresh eating and processing. While red beets are the most familiar variety, golden beets are increasingly popular among farmers growing specialty vegetables for farmers markets, farm stores, restaurants and CSA programs.
Here in New England, beets are particularly well suited to our cool-season growing conditions.
Are Golden Beets Nutritious?
Yes! Golden beets are a nutritious root vegetable and an easy way to add more vegetables and variety to your meals.
They provide:
Fiber, which supports healthy digestion
Folate, an important B vitamin
Potassium
Vitamin C
Manganese
Naturally occurring plant compounds called betalains
Golden beets contain different pigments from the red varieties, which is why they have their distinctive yellow-gold color.
And don't forget the greens! Beet greens are edible and nutritious, too. Young beet greens can be added to salads, while mature greens can be sautéed, steamed or added to soups.
What Do Golden Beets Taste Like?
If you've avoided beets because you find red beets too earthy, golden beets are worth trying.
Golden beets tend to have a milder, sweeter flavor and slightly less earthy character. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and gives them a wonderfully tender texture.
They pair beautifully with:
Apples
Pears
Citrus
Goat cheese
Feta
Walnuts and pecans
Fresh herbs
Balsamic vinegar
Maple syrup
Honey
Arugula and other salad greens
Their sunny color also makes them especially pretty when paired with contrasting ingredients.
How to Choose Golden Beets
When shopping for golden beets, look for roots that are firm and smooth, without soft spots or significant blemishes.
If the greens are attached, look for leaves that are fresh and vibrant rather than wilted.
Small to medium-sized beets are often especially tender.
At the farm store, you may find golden beets sold with their greens attached. That's a good thing — it means you get two vegetables from one plant!
How to Store Golden Beets
If your beets have greens attached, remove the greens soon after bringing them home. The greens continue to pull moisture from the roots, which can cause the beets to become soft more quickly.
Store the unwashed roots in a plastic bag or other covered container in the refrigerator.
Don't throw away those greens! Use them within a few days by sautéing them with garlic and olive oil, adding them to soups, or mixing them into a vegetable dish.
Properly stored, beet roots can keep for several weeks.
How to Prepare Golden Beets
Golden beets can be roasted, steamed, boiled, grilled or eaten raw.
For roasting, simply:
Wash the beets and trim the tops and roots.
Wrap them loosely in foil or place them in a covered baking dish.
Roast at 400°F until tender when pierced with a knife — usually about 35–60 minutes depending on size.
Allow them to cool slightly.
The skins should slip off easily.
Once roasted, golden beets can be sliced into salads, served as a side dish or refrigerated for meals throughout the week.
For a quick preparation, peel raw golden beets and slice or grate them very thinly. Add them to salads for a crisp texture and beautiful color.
Golden Beet Recipe Ideas
Roasted Golden Beets with Maple & Thyme
A simple combination that lets the natural sweetness of the beets shine.
Ingredients
1½ pounds golden beets
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Wash and trim the beets. Cut larger beets into halves or quarters and place them on a baking sheet.
Toss with olive oil, maple syrup, thyme, salt and pepper.
Roast for approximately 35–45 minutes, turning once, until tender and lightly caramelized.
Serve warm.
Golden Beet & Apple Salad
This is a beautiful fall salad that combines sweet, earthy and crisp flavors.
Ingredients
3 roasted golden beets, sliced
1 crisp local apple, thinly sliced
Arugula or mixed greens
¼ cup toasted walnuts
Crumbled goat cheese or feta
Balsamic vinaigrette
Arrange the greens on a platter and top with golden beets, apple slices, walnuts and cheese. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette.
Golden Beet Hummus
For something a little different, roasted golden beets can be blended with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and garlic to make a bright golden hummus.
Serve with pita, crackers or fresh vegetables.
Golden Beet & Goat Cheese Crostini
Spread soft goat cheese onto toasted slices of baguette and top with thin slices of roasted golden beet. Finish with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of fresh thyme.
It's simple, colorful and perfect for a fall appetizer.
Don't Forget the Greens!
Beet greens are delicious simply sautéed with olive oil and garlic.
Heat olive oil in a skillet, add chopped garlic and then add washed, chopped beet greens. Cook until tender and season with salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon.
You can also add beet greens to soups, frittatas, pasta dishes and grain bowls.
Golden Beets at Nourse Farm
There is something special about discovering a vegetable you may not have grown up eating.
Golden beets are a perfect example. They have all the versatility of the familiar beet, but their sunny color, mild flavor and natural sweetness make them a fun addition to the kitchen.
Whether you roast them with local maple syrup, toss them into a fall salad with apples, or simply sauté their greens with garlic, golden beets are one more delicious way to enjoy the harvest.
Look for golden beets in season at the Nourse Farm Store and bring a little sunshine home from the farm.
From Our Farm to Your Table
At Nourse Farm, we believe eating seasonally is about more than simply buying vegetables. It's about discovering what's growing right now, trying something new and finding delicious ways to bring the harvest into your kitchen.
So the next time you see a bunch of golden beets, pick them up. You might just discover a new favorite.