Beet Greens

 

Availability: July-August

Storage tips: Refrigerate in a plastic bag. Beet Greens should last at least a week.

How to eat: Beet greens are the baby beet plants before they mature to full sized roots and are eaten whole: root, stem and leaf. They need to be washed very thoroughly as they harbor small bits of grit in and around the baby roots. Beet greens are best steamed in a very little amount of water or in a steamer basket. Steam them whole or chopped for 5-10 minutes until tender. Top with butter, salt, pepper, and a splash of vinegar.

How to preserve:  Best way to preserve beet greens is to blanch and freeze it. Wash well and chop leaves and stems up into smaller sizes (whatever you'd like to use coming out of the freezer). Submerge in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, remove, cool in ice cold water. Squeeze water out of beet greens and pack into ziplock bags. Freeze for 6+ months.