Beetroot has ancient origins, always part of the Mediterranean and European food and medicinal culture. It was used for its sweet, pleasant taste, given by the high quantity of sugars; not for nothing there is a variety called "sugar", with white root, from which sucrose is extracted.
Red beetroot is a variety of the same species (Beta vulgaris), with a tapanin- rich taproot root, which gives it an intense red color. It is found for most of the year, from the second half of spring until late autumn.
3 vegetarian recipes with beetroot
The taste of red beets is pleasant, if well dosed together with other ingredients, so as not to exaggerate the sweetness typical of this root, which is not universally appreciated. Let's start with a salad.
Red beet salad
Ingredients:
> 1 large beet
> 50 grams of chickpeas
> ½ red onion
> 10 small tomatoes
> 2 celery leaves
> 1 handful of raisins
> Black sesame
> Olive oil
> 1 lemon
Preparation : raw red beetroot offers the best of itself in terms of nutritional approach: a lot of water, mineral salts and folic acid.
Then we will peel a large or two medium-sized beetroot, chop it into julienne strips and add to it: chickpeas, chopped onion, whole cherry tomatoes, a few chopped celery leaves, black sesame raisins, olive oil and lemon juice. Crunchy, satiating, juicy, complete.
Red beet hummus
Ingredients:
> 2 or 3 beets
> Garlic
> Chili pepper
> Honey
> Olive oil
> Timo
> Sesame
> Sale
> Bread
Preparation : you can easily create a variant of hummus (or rather, a hummus-like) made from beet. First it will be cut into slices and roasted, after which the blender will help us to prepare the cream with garlic, chilli, honey, olive oil, thyme, sesame and salt.
It can easily replace chickpeas, with a less caloric result and much more sweet and colorful, ready to spread on bread.
Red beet curry
Ingredients :
> 6 small beets
> Olive oil
> Mustard seeds
> 1 coconut
> Anise
> Curry
> Chili pepper
> Curcuma
Preparation : red beetroot is much loved and used in India, so why not take advantage of Indian cookbooks about it? Here is a typical southern one. Take the beets to be peeled and cut into cubes and steam them.
In a non-stick pan, mustard seeds and half a grated coconut are sautéed with a pinch of anise, curry and chilli.
When the aroma fills the kitchen we will add the cooked beetroot and turmeric, turning it all over with half a glass of water. Easy and spicy, good appetite.
Nutritional values and benefits of red beet
The caloric content of beet is very low, around 40 calories per 100 grams.
What are its properties ? Helps fight cholesterol and constipation thanks to a large amount of dietary fiber, excellent for removing intestinal mucus; it has a good level of vitamin C and an excellent level of folate .
Among the trace elements manganese, potassium and selenium stand out; it is considered laxative, stomachic, hepatoprotective and rich in anti-aging effects.
Recent studies (from 2013) highlight its beneficial effects in the prevention of breast cancer ; it is an excellent antiviral, especially against different types of herpes.
Studies published in Cancer Letters attest to its preventive qualities in case of liver and skin cancer ; it also lowers blood pressure, helps the cardiovascular system and improves sports performance.
Studies produced by Wake Forest University in North Carolina tell us that it has an excellent action in improving the blood supply, and therefore the oxygenation of the brain, with a preventive effect in the comparisons of discomforts due to aging.
