beets in vinaigrette

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

20 comments to “beets in vinaigrette”

  1. 1
    Bijoux   September 21, 2009 at 6:09 am

    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!!

  2. 2
    Dawn   September 21, 2009 at 7:06 am

    those colors! love that photo. stunning.

  3. 3
    french-treasures   September 21, 2009 at 8:39 am

    I have beets and feta in my frig. I'll make this today. The balsamic vinegar sounds like a nice taste treat.

  4. 4
    Alisa - Frugal Foodie   September 21, 2009 at 9:02 am

    It must be beet season! So many great recipes on the net.

  5. 5
    Amy   September 21, 2009 at 4:20 am

    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.

  6. 6
    Dana   September 21, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    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!

  7. 7
    french-treasures   September 21, 2009 at 2:50 pm

    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!

  8. 8
    Erin   September 21, 2009 at 5:42 pm

    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?

  9. 9
    kickpleat   September 21, 2009 at 5:48 pm

    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.

  10. 10
    Erin C.   September 21, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    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!)

  11. 11
    laura   September 22, 2009 at 10:03 am

    Can't beat beets. Sorry, I couldn't resist the pun.

  12. 12
    CookiePie   September 22, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    Gorgeous! LOVE beets, especially different-colored ones. Delish!!

  13. 13
    Karine   September 22, 2009 at 8:01 pm

    This looks to be a great way to enjoy beets! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  14. 14
    Belle@Ooh, Look   September 22, 2009 at 8:05 pm

    I adore beets, but mainly for the way they look. In a salad with vinagrette is the perfect way to play up their beauty.

  15. 15
    kickpleat   September 23, 2009 at 9:52 am

    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!)

  16. 16
    Karen   September 23, 2009 at 8:21 pm

    Tried this tonight with dinner–ate more of the beets than of the main dish! Thanks very much!

  17. 17
    KyotoFoodieのPekoPeko   September 23, 2009 at 8:33 pm

    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!

  18. 18
    kickpleat   September 26, 2009 at 1:45 pm

    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!)

  19. 19
    kickpleat   September 27, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    The Daily V, okay, that clinches it, I'm going to visit Australia!

  20. 20
    The Daily V   September 27, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    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!

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