Simple Roasted Beets

This is the time of year where we need to lean into light, easy to digest foods that also have a functionality to them.

I mean foods that can help our bodies and mind with the effect that they have as we digest them. 

Foods like beets. 

I know some of you absolutely despise beets, but is that because your experience was limited to the canned beet?  Canned beets are insipid and tinny; not at all worthy of your time. 

Fresh beets in beet season, however??  Now with the correct treatment, they are something to celebrate. 

Earthy and sweet, grounding and cooling, the humble beet lends itself to all sorts of fabulous preparations: pickled, steamed, boiled and sliced and served with fresh chevre . . .

One of my favourite ways to prepare beets is to simply roast them with fennel seeds, salt, and pepper. It is so easy and the results so delicious, I often find that I have eaten half the pan before I have even had the chance to serve them. 

I’ve outlined my favourite method below, try it and see if it doesn’t convert you to the glory of beets. 

Why This Recipe is Good for Us: 

In Ayurveda, beets are considered to be a highly sattvic food, which means they promote clarity, calmness, and overall well-being. They are also believed to balance all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), but they are particularly beneficial for Vata and Pitta types due to their sweet, astringent, and cooling properties. Beets are known to purify the blood, support liver function, and improve digestion.

Coconut oil is highly valued in Ayurveda for its cooling and soothing properties. It is beneficial for Pitta and Vata types, but should be used sparingly by Kapha types due to its oily and cooling nature. Coconut oil is known to support digestion, improve skin health, and boost immunity. It's also a great source of healthy fats.

Fennel seeds are a popular spice in Ayurvedic cooking due to their ability to balance digestion. They are particularly beneficial for Vata and Kapha types due to their warming and drying qualities. Fennel seeds are known to support digestion, reduce inflammation, and freshen breath. They also have a calming effect on the mind and can help to relieve anxiety and insomnia. They are useful in summer to help boost the agni.

Simple Roasted Beets

Serves 2-4 as a side dish

4-6 medium beets
2-3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 tbsp whole fennel seeds
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Cut the beets into 1-2 inch dice. The smaller you cut them the faster they will cook. Toss the beets with the whole fennel seeds, coconut oil, and salt and pepper to taste. I usually stir with a wooden spoon and then taste the spoon to see if it is seasoned enough. The raw spices aren’t exactly how the end product will taste, but you can get a rough idea of how things are going to turn out. You can always adjust.

Spread the beets out on your prepared pan and roast until the beets are fully cooked through and beginning to caramelize, stirring every 15-20 minutes or so. Depending on the size of the beets this can take up to 45 minutes to an hour.

Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary. You know it’s ready when you can’t stop eating the beets off the pan. Enjoy hot or room temperature.

Please reach out with questions, and when you make it, let me know how it went.