Beet Greens
Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
Delicate beet greens have a surprisingly sweet and mild flavor that appeals to people who love spinach or chard. Beet greens are often the best greens to introduce to children or others who might be wary of the flavor of more assertive or bitter cooking greens. They cook just as quickly as spinach, and the natural sugars in the plant nicely sweeten up the finished dish. Cut `n Clean Greens Beet Greens includes both gorgeous red and gold beet greens – the different colored ribs and veins provide a colorful contrast to the dark, rich greens.
Cut `n Clean Greens Beet Greens make your life easier by eliminating the drudgery of washing and cutting. With our easy bags of read-to-use beet greens, home cooks can focus on cooking, while saving time normally needed for prep and cleanup.
Our beet greens are easy to cook, straight from the bag. You can sauté beet greens in a tiny splash of olive oil and sliced garlic (they may not need salt), or add a pinch of crushed red pepper for some heat. Or make traditional Southern sautéed greens with a splash of vinegar at serving time.
Disease Fighting Food
Although most people are familiar with the beet root, nutritionists and chefs think the greens are actually the most desirable part of the plant since they contain more calcium, iron and Vitamin C than the root. The greens are rich in nutrients, concentrated in vitamins and minerals as well as carotenoids (such as beta-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin).
Beet greens are nutritional superstars that offer a superb variety of ways to help in the fight against cancer and other diseases, and the protection of eyesight. Eating beet greens promotes bone, heart, eye, nervous system, liver and colon health, as well as the following: Great source of vitamin A, mostly from beta-carotene, which helps protect against cancer, heart disease, cataracts, and other diseases of aging. Vitamin A also helps keep the immune system in top shape.
- Packed with phytonutrients, such as the carotenoid called lutein and lipoic acid. Lutein is good for the eyes to help prevent or slow age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Lipoic acid is an antioxidant being investigated as a possible regulator of blood sugar
- High in fiber, which helps minimize exposure to toxins from food. Soluble fiber also helps lower blood cholesterol and slow the rise of blood sugar after a meal
Similar to spinach yet milder and naturally sweeter!
Cooking Tips
Most cooking greens shine with simple preparation. Here are a couple of additional tips for beet greens:
Beet greens wilt quickly, so take care not to overcook them. We like to sauté them for a mere 2-3 minutes, and stop cooking while they are still bright green.
- Use wilted beet greens in virtually any recipe that calls for frozen chopped spinach. Use 1 (12-ounce) bag of Cut `n Clean Greens Beet Greens (wilted and squeezed dry) in place of a frozen (10-ounce) package of chopped spinach.
- Green up any soup you are making by tossing in beet greens during the last 3-5 minutes of simmering.
- Taste the beet greens before adding salt. They naturally contain more sodium than other greens.
- Try raw beet greens in salads.
