When you cook beets do you use the leaves as well or just the beets themselves?

Question

In our local store they sell the beets with the leaves I never saw anyone use those parts but then again I'm new around - is any one knows if the leaves are usable and how should I use them if I do so?

Answer 1

I like beet greens. You can cook the leaves just like spinach! Just steam the beets and near the end of steaming them add the leaves (because they don't take as long to cook as the beets) or steam separately. I'm not sure if beet greens have a lot of oxalic acid like spinach, but they are good with butter!!!

Answer 2

I usually cut off the greens.
I then scrub them very well.

Please note BEETS STAIN everything they touch to a bright pink or fushia color, so be careful when cutting them and using the juices. They are used a "dye" for almost everything all over the world. Hence they will make your bowels look "bloody" if you eat too much, so don't freak out.

I love them, I eat them at least once or twice a week.
I prefer to peel them, quarter them, boil and eat them. I have baked them or parboiled, sliced battered and fried them (like fried green tomatoes) . I usally will boil, then dice and chill them and put on salads. Love them in "bean salads".

I do often drink the beet juice with carrots/apple/celery/spinach in the "juicer" very yummy!
I also "soak" other things in the juice to color it, I have used the juice in "Rice" to make it a cool pink color.

Sound like a weird "beet" lady huh> yet its a great veggie that most folks never consider. I love it.

My great grandmother 1920's used them as makeup, lip stain.

Answer 3

I remove the greens and skin from my beets and then roast them. You can roast them with the skin on, but I like to salt and season them before they go into the oven. You can try adding the beet greens to dishes that would normally call for traditional "greens" but check to see if there is bitterness to account for.

Answer 4

Yes, they're still good.