EatBeetroot!Manypeopleareaversetobeetroothavingonlyexperiencedcrinkle-cutslicessteepedinoverpoweringvinegar. This is a shamebecause freshbeetroothasmuch to commend it in termsofflavour (sweet,slightlyearthy),texture(smoothandvelvety)andcolour(darkred/purple,oranappealingly luridpinkwhencombinedwithcreamoryoghurt).

These aBributes make it a key ingredient in many fabulous salads . And if you haven't tried freshbeetroot juice you may be pleasantly surprised at how subtle it is, parFcularly when offset with asharperingredientsuchasorangeorapple.

HISTORY-BeetrootevolvedfromwildseabeetwhichisanaFveofcoastlinesfromIndiatoBritain.Twothousand years ago, prior to beingmodified by culFvaFon techniques, beetroot had a carrot-shapedrootandonlytheleaveswereeaten(thesmallrootwasusedformedicinalpurposesbyancientGreeksandRomans).ThefamiliarroundedrootvarietywasdevelopedaroundthesixteenthcenturyandgainedwidespreadpopularityinEuropeacoupleofhundredyearslater.

TodaybeetrootiscommonthroughoutmuchofEurope,andisusedextensivelyinScandinavian,EasternEuropeanandRussiancuisine.

BIOLOGY - The beetroot plant, Beta vulgaris, has deep tap roots and can grow in a variety of soilcondiFons. Other members of the genus include chard, sugar beet, spinach and samphire. The redvarietyisdominantbutgoldenandwhitebeetrootisgrownonasmallerscale.

NUTRITION -TheverdictfromaNutriFonalTherapistAnotherrootwhichishighinbetacaroteneandfolicacid.ExcellentforthosewanFngtostayhealthyaseaFngitregularlyhelpscleansetheliverandcanassistinloweringincidencesofheartdisease.

BUYING-Beetrootshouldbefirmwithasmooth,undamagedsurface.Smallerrootsaremoretender-avoidanylargerthanabout6cmindiameterastheymayhavetough,woodycores.

COOKING -Scan thecodebelowtoviewtherecipe for ‘Beetroot&Len*lBurgers’on theseasonalrecipesblog.

orvisit:qmulsustainability.wordpress.com/recipes