Beetroot (beet) is a beneficial source of countless essential nutrients. It’s also an incredibly rich source of important antioxidants like betaine and beta-carotene, which have been shown to enhance liver health and protect against heart disease by lowering blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides (fat in the blood). In addition to the many health-promoting effects of the beet, it also possesses certain characteristics that greatly promote long-term weight management.
Now, you’re probably all too familiar with beets that are reddish-purple in color. But, did you know that they come in several other nutritious varieties that possess white, yellowish-golden and even rainbow-colored roots? Want to try something different? Here’s an absolutely delicious recipe for golden beets, which are typically grown during fall months.
What You Need
- 2 large golden beets
- 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of pure honey
- Freshly squeezed juice of 1/2 small lemon
- Freshly squeezed juice of 1 medium orange
- Generous pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 cup of raw walnuts
How To Prepare
Heat your oven to 400°F. Gently wash and scrub the beets, cut off the tops and tails and then peel the skin. After the beets are peeled, chop them into bite-sized cubes, rinse them again, and then evenly spread them in a glass baking dish. In a glass bowl, melt and mix the olive oil and pure honey and then add the lemon juice and half of the orange juice. Stir in a generous pinch of salt.
Pour the glaze mixture evenly over the chopped beets and then put them in the oven to cook for approximately 40-45 minutes (depending on your oven).
Note: After approximately 20-25 minutes, give the beets a stir to ensure that they’re evenly coated in the glaze. The beets are done when they have a nice crunch similar to the consistency of fresh pineapple.
Once your beets are done, top them with walnuts, add the remaining orange juice, and then place them in the same heated oven to cook for about 3-5 additional minutes.
Citrus honey glazed golden beets pair very well with seafood and leafy green vegetables (pictured above with wild salmon and chopped Romanesco broccoli). This mouthwatering recipe makes 4 servings of approximately 155 calories each and is incredibly rich in disease-fighting antioxidants and heart-healthy fats. Enjoy!
