The Beet Affect

Six pints of pickled beets finished last night. Plus more just for eating right away. And some to take to a neighbor.

And that takes care of about half of one half of a cold frame.

Did you know that eating beets will make your pee pink? I had a few moments of alarm during last year's beet season, but this year I knew enough not to worry.

Beet Sprouts

So I finally did that thinning at the garden. Came home with this big plate of beet greens. (Yes, really, my seeding technique is THAT bad.)

I had some pancetta, so I sauted that with some onions and then I threw the greens in. I did trim off most of the heavier stems and roots before I threw them in the pan. Shortly after adding the greens, I poured in a mixture of sugar and cider apple vinegar--less than a 1/4 cup.

All in all, I'd say...eh. It's definitely an earthy flavor. Maybe I would have liked it more with bacon and less vinegar.

Time to Thin

Ugh. Clearly I have seeding issues. See all those CLUMPS of plants. Double ugh.

That's waaaaaay too many little beet plants coming up all in one spot.

(View inside a cold frame.)

Beetiful!

Check these beauties out! I mean seriously, are these not gorgeous or what?? Literally popping out of the ground in the high tunnel today.

These gals are getting roasted in the oven and then turned into some Harvard Beets. Combine 1/3 cooking liquid, 2T sugar, 1 T cornstarch, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 2 T butter. Cook until thick and bubbly. Add beets and bliss out.

Executive Garden: Arugula In, Beets Out

In the biggest foodie news since the latest Top Chef finale, the White House broke ground on a vegetable garden. The family-size plot is modest at--1,100 feet--and will be used as a hands-on classroom for 5th graders from a nearby school.

Reportedly the garden will include a variety of lettuces, heirloom tomatoes, chard, kale, squash, cucumbers, and peppers. It'll also have a patch of arugula, even though the spicy green is, by multiple accounts, perceived as elitist. Odds are against beets, though, as the Pres doesn't like 'em.

The organic garden will be overseen by assistant White House chef Sam Kass.