It’s just a couple of days until the end of summer. As much as I’d love to cozy up in a cardigan or bundle up under the covers with a cup of tea, I must say that I am loving the summer weather we are having. I guess because I was away most of August that having an extended bit of Vancouver summer seems to fit just right with me. Sunshine, bare legs and those lazy, hazy days. Summer please hang around just a while longer, okay?
While beets are not the most summery of vegetables, we did receive quite a bit in our CSA share, which is never a bad thing. For this recipe I used some golden beets along with the plain jane regular ol’ variety (which I actually like better because they seem to be much sweeter). The dressing has a nice sweet and sour balance that plays up the natural sweetness in the beets. The feta cheese is totally optional, but is oh-so-great crumbled over top.
While the salad is great on its own, it’s also wonderful served on top of some bitter greens (our CSA is currently overflowing in bitter greens!). The beets and dressing help to cut all of that bitterness in the lettuce.
Browse my archives for more beet recipes:
beet & arugula salad with goat cheese & pecans
raw beet & carrot salad
beet greens & fried potatoes topped with poached eggs
beets, feta & pecan green salad with balsamic dressing
beets in vinaigrette
5 beets
3 T olive oil
2 T cider vinegar
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 small shallot, minced
1 t honey
salt & pepper
1/4 c feta cheese, crumbled (optional)Boil the beets in their skins until tender (about 45 minutes or so depending on the size of the beets). Let cool and then slip off their skins which will remove quite easily. Cut beets into round slices or dice them. Your call.
In medium sized bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegars, shallot, honey, salt and pepper. Toss in the beets and coat well with the vinaigrette. Sprinkle the feta, if using, over top and serve.
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I'm liking our September weather in T.O too!! And I'm liking all the local fresh produce that Ontario provides us with this time of year. I haven't picked up any beets yet as I'm trying to enjoy as many local tomatoes and cucumbers before they all disappear! I was raised on beets and feta so I know exactly what you mean about how great the addition of the cheese is…Yum!!
those colors! love that photo. stunning.
I have beets and feta in my frig. I'll make this today. The balsamic vinegar sounds like a nice taste treat.
It must be beet season! So many great recipes on the net.
One of my favorite salads I make has beets, gorgonzola, with a mustard/balsamic vinaigrette. I've even converted some beet-haters with it.
Love the sound of this with feta and the golden variety. And beautiful.
I love love love beets and my husband hates them. Like deal-breaker hates them. Like won't-even-eat-them-to-be-polite hates them. He's gone this week so maybe I'll make a batch of these all for myself! Gorgeous shots!
Since my beets were already cooked, I was able to make this for lunch. I ladled the beet-vinaigrette mixture over baby salad greens and topped it all with feta. Yummy. I recommend this recipe!
I needs to get me some beets!
where do you get your produce box from? I've seen a few that are available here in Vancouver; just wondering which one you chose. also, does it work out to be cheaper than the farmer's market?
Amy, it's always good to convert beet-haters!
Hooray for good fall weather all-round, Bijoux. Yes, please eat up tomatoes and cukes! yum.
Thank you, Dawn! I love all the colours too.
French, so glad you tried this out. Hooray!!
Alisa, I love beets so I'm glad the internet agrees with me.
Eat as many beets as you can, Dana, while your husband is away. Sorry you can't convert him.
Erin, I know, beet juice is deadly. I bought shares in a Nathan's Farm CSA (community sponsored agriculture) which is different than getting a box from Spud. I recommend it, but with a CSA you can't pick the veggies, what comes is what you get. I do hear that Spud is good too.
I like beets. I may just try this recipe! By the way, don't spill any beet juice on that pretty tablecloth, it may not come out.
(although I recently got a blueberry juice stain out of a white linen tablecloth but I had to throw everything I had at it, ending up with bleach!)
Can't beat beets. Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun.
Gorgeous! LOVE beets, especially different-colored ones. Delish!!
This looks to be a great way to enjoy beets! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I adore beets, but mainly for the way they look. In a salad with vinagrette is the perfect way to play up their beauty.
Laura, I'm fine with the puns 🙂
I know, the different coloured ones just look so pretty, CookiePie.
It is, Karine. Thanks.
Belle, trust me, they taste just as good (or better!)
Tried this tonight with dinner–ate more of the beets than of the main dish! Thanks very much!
Oh, I love beets. Unfortunately we can't get them fresh here in Japan. I tried growing them in my little garden but they didn't do well.
Vinaigrette with feta sounds divine!
That is so good to hear, Karen! Awesome.
Kyoto, give the growing another try. I always thoughts beets grew quite easily (coming from someone who never grew beets before!)
The Daily V, okay, that clinches it, I'm going to visit Australia!
Thank you so, so much for this post! I've always loved beets marinated in vinegar.
Random trivia: In Australia, they put slices of beet on hamburgers, instead of pickles. It sounds strange, but tastes delicious!