Farmers Market Find: Baby Beets (roasted and glazed)

Determined to frequent the local Farmers Market this summer - H. and I are trying to buy more vegetables and other local goods to see if a CSA might be in our future. I was really excited to see more offered this weekend at the market - including these very pretty (and pretty small) beets. The rosemary (from my urban patio herb garden) made the condo smell pretty after roasting for about 30 minutes. This was tasty - and easy. Perfect on top of the micro-greens that I scored at the market this weekend too!


Baby Beets with Balsamic Glaze

Recipe Source: Washington Post (june 2007) from In Season columnist Stephanie Witt Sedgwick.

4 servings

Ingredients:

• 12 to 16 baby (1- to 2-inch) beets
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Pinch salt
• Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

  Trim the greens off the top of each beet; save the greens for another use or discard.

  Rinse the beets and use heavy-duty aluminum foil to form a packet around them, placing the rosemary in the packet before sealing. Place the packet on a rimmed baking sheet and roast for 30 to 45 minutes or until the beets can be easily pierced with a knife. Transfer the packet to a work surface; open it and let the beets cool until they can be handled. Discard the rosemary.

  Use disposable gloves or a paper towel to pick up each beet and rub or peel off the skin, trimming off the root and stem ends. Set the beets aside.

  In a large, shallow saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar, butter and salt over medium-high heat. Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has reduced by about half. (It should have a syrupy, glaze-like consistency.) Reduce the heat to low, add the beets, and stir to coat and warm them through, about 1 to 2 minutes. Serve with the remaining glaze spooned over.