Friday, December 29, 2006
Five Golden Beets!
The neighborhood where I live is lined with little houses that were once five-hundred feet square, but now sport additions twice their original size. They were built to house the sugar beet factory workers. The hulking factory still stands with its railroad yard, giant silos, cavernous factory, and the impressive managers quarters. I’m not sure how long it will last. There have been various plans for renovation and demolition that surface from time to time. At one point the fields of the plains were covered in sugar beets to feed our nation’s sweet tooth. Today we get our sugar fixes from other sources and only a handful of farmers raise the hulking variety of beet that produces sugar.Today’s Lunch
Sweet and Sour Beets
2 lbs fresh golden beets, scrubbed, peeled, and cut into 1 inch pieces
1 tbsp maple syrup
5 tbsp red wine vinegar
Juice and zest of one orange
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp coriander
Place the meets in a medium-sized saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a boil. Reuce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until tender, 40-50 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Place the rest of the ingredients in a small bowl and wisk. Pour over beets and serve. Serves 4.
