In My San Diego Garden and Kitchen
Not everyone likes beets but they’re on my top ten favorite vegetables list. They store well in my fridge for several months and the enjoyment and recipe trials are extended. I plant them close together—about 80 seeds using a wire grid in a 24 x 48 inch area. I use the recommended seed priming method described at GrowVeg. Their method resulted in about a 90% germination rate.
I planted them mid-October and over the winter they are established but only size up in the spring with more daylight. I pull larger ones as the season progresses, leaving room for smaller ones to grow. Most years I grow Baby Ball, a Dutch variety from Renee’s Garden. They maintain their quality small or oversized.
With my mandoline, I sliced the harvested beets 1/8 inch thick. The task would have been nearly impossible without the tool.
A beet galette was a new adventure for me. I sauteed spring onions in olive oil then added brown sugar and balsamic vinegar and reduced to a spreading consistency. Herbed goat cheese and fresh thyme proceeded the sliced beets.
In haste, I forgot to sprinkle with fresh thyme. The beet galette was memorable—tender, sweet beets enfolded in a flaky crust. I may repeat this soon.
The three large beets yielded more slices than needed for the galette so I sliced them for salads and also sauteed strips in olive oil as a side dish.
My neighbor who only likes beet greens happily takes beet greens beyond what I can use.
With extra beet slices I also made a black bean and rice entree. Lime juice and roasted pistachios added interest. This is an “every beet season” favorite.
A second sowing of golden sweet snow peas supplements the meager first round.
The patio Bountiful Blue blueberry bush is just starting to produce. This just as I saw a lovely male bluebird in the backyard. My neighbor covers her blueberry bushes, preferring not to leave them for the bluebirds.
The calendulas were just waking up from a cool overnight as I gathered them for Sunday’s church bouquet.
Check the What I’m Planting Now page as I begin to plant the summer garden. Then head today to Harvest Monday, hosted by Dave at Happy Acres blog and see what garden bloggers around the world harvested last week.
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