Beet Greens: Nutritional Powerhouse & Delicious Recipes

What if you have a wound and are suffering from extensive blood loss due to that? Or if your skin and hair are losing their sheen and radiance – you wouldn’t like that, would you? Well, in that case, beet greens are what you should be eating.

Wondering how beet greens can do that and what their benefits are? Then sit back and read this post!

Iron:

Beet greens are a good source of iron. In fact, they have higher levels of iron than even the much famed spinach. Daily intake of a serving of beet green can boost the iron levels in our body and thus, is highly advisable for pregnant women.

Vitamin K:

Beet greens also have an abundance of Vitamin K. This element helps in controlling blood loss in case of wound or cuts.

Vitamin A:

The leaves of the beet also have high levels of Vitamin A. This ingredient helps in the production of antibodies and white blood cells which in turn improve the immunity level of the body.

Vitamin C:

It is noted that a single serving of beet greens can fulfill 30 percent of the daily requirement of Vitamin C. This means eating beet greens on a regular basis can improve the texture of your skin and hair, and develop the health of your bones and teeth.

Here is the list of nutrients a cup of boiled and drained beet greens contains:

Calories39Sodium347 mgcarbohydrates8gFiber4 gSugar1 gProtein4 g

Now that you have known the benefits of beet greens, you sure would love to know recipes of the same, right? Here are some delicious recipes which you and your family can relish while getting benefited at the same time!

3 Yummy Beet Green Recipes For You To Try:

1. Beet Greens For Side Dish:

Make this preparation as an oil free nutritious side dish to be eaten in the main meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 bunches of beet greens, without stems
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Pepper
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Put the beet leaves in a pot of boiling water and cook for 2 minutes till they become tender.
2. Drain out the water and immerse the leaves in ice water to retain the crispness of the leaves.
3. Heat the olive oil in a pan. Add garlic and then the cooked beet greens. Cook and stir for about 1 minute and add salt and pepper to taste. Season with lemon if you like.

2. Beet Greens For Smoothies:

Smoothies give the punch to the tired bodies and are also a great option for breakfast. Beet leaves go well with smoothies and fulfill the daily requirement of nutrients. Check out this simple beet green smoothie recipe here:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup papaya, cubed
• 1 orange
• ½ cup pineapple
• 2 cups beet greens
• 4-6 ounces of water

Directions:

1. Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend till you get a smooth paste. Add sugar and salt if you like.

3. Beet Greens For Salad:

Try this beet green salad recipe at home and you will love the taste and flavor. This recipe will use both the root and leaves of beet.

Ingredients:

• One bunch of beet green
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 cloves of garlic
• ½ cup chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit. Place the washed and scrubbed beetroot without the stem or leaves and let it roast for 45 to 60 minutes.
2. Remove the skin and cut into small cubes. Sprinkle some red wine vinegar and butter and toss to mix well.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet and add chopped garlic and onion. Stir and cook for 1 minute.
4. Add the beet greens which are torn into 2 inch pieces. Stir and cook till they become tender.
5. Add to the salad bowl and toss to mix everything well. Add salt and pepper for taste.

Have you tried beet greens before? How were they? Share your beet green recipes with us in the comments section below!