All summer we’ve (OK, I’ve) been blinded by the bling… the gold of peaches, the perfumed melons, the garnet gleam of berries and ripe cherries and the…blah blah blah… The truth is, looks aren’t everything. Take that pile over there of what-are-those-things that look like dirty softballs. Are they even edible? Wattamy supposed to do with those?
So today Imma tell you. Today the focus is on one of the most under-ogled, under-appreciated and misunderstood gems in the produce parade…BEETS! Let me say that again…BEETS!
Raise your hand if your mouth puckered just thinking about BEETS…Either you love them, hate them, or have been just too darn scared to give them a try. True…their earthy flavor, texture and their proclivity for staining your hands, clothes and entire kitchen a disturbing shade of red* puts them in the realm of an acquired taste; but given half a chance, this bad boy…boiled, roasted, pickled** or even baked into a cake, will become one of the most versatile tools in your root cellar. You do have a root cellar, right?
*Tip: baking soda can remove beet stains from your skin. Another tip would be… don’t eat them on your upholstered furniture.
**Who remembers the auntie who always brought those weird purplish deviled eggs to the picnic? And wondering how did she do that? Yep…beets. My personal winter fave…dragging a perfect pork chop through the spicy sauce served up with the Harvard beets. But don’t wait for winter…throw a few on the grill with the spareribs. Cool, peel, enjoy. Roasted beets are great served chilled as a summer salad…I recommend with some sweet vidalia onions and a sweet ’n sour vinegar dressing.
Beets are more than beautiful under their own dusty skin… Rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants, they also give the human epidermis a beauty bump in the anti-aging and complexion dept. And when two World Wars cut the ladies off from their Max Factor supply, beets did their part to boost morale on both sides of the Atlantic by giving cheeks and lips a rosy glow.
It turns out that the unassuming beet has a long, interesting, even erotic history, but since this is a family publication I’ll only offer a tease: The Ancient Greek and Roman gods and their human playthings considered beets an aphrodisiac…Aphrodite ate them to enhance her sex appeal, and I suppose ancient mothers learned to keep them out of reach of frisky teens. Beets…please eat responsibly. For all other beet-related trivia: Nerd link.
As always, please visit our FB page for any updates or changes to the vendor schedule.
We should note that Franklin Fountain has moved their base of operations to their Scottdale Road Sugar Shack so they won’t be at the market but do visit the SS Franklin and keep enjoying their delicious ice cream treats.
PLEASE read the rest of this newsletter for news on other happenings in and around the village.
AND PLEASE, STAY SAFE. Although face masks are not mandated at the moment, please be aware of your surroundings and especially of small children who are not yet vaccinated.
See you at the market!
Terry Baraldi