Dishing Up the Dirt

beet tzatziki

July 15, 2012

I joke with some of my farm friends that beets are my spirit vegetable.

Weird I know.  But I love my beets.  I’ll take ’em raw, juiced, roasted, boiled, heck I’ll take I bite of one with dirt still on it straight out of the ground. The never disappoint. It’s true love.

My newest way to use beets is in this wonderful beet tzatziki.

I love greek tzatziki (which is traditionally made with cucumbers) but since my love of beets is stronger than my love for cucumbers I thought I would give this a try.

The recipe below was inspired by a recipe in my cookbook Spice by Ana Sortun.

For the beets.

one cup cooked red beets (about 4 medium-sized beets) shredded

salt and pepper to taste

For the tzatziki

1 medium-sized clove garlic, finely chopped

juice of half a lemon

pinch of salt

1 1/2 cups plain greek yogurt

black pepper to taste

1- tbs chopped fresh dill

Chop your beets in half.  Place in a saucepan with boiling water.  Turn heat down to low boil and let beets cook for about 15-20 minutes.  Or until you can easily pierce a fork through one.

Drain beets.

Place beets in a food processor that has a grater.  If you don’t have this you can just grate them using a box grater.

To make the tzatziki, stir together the garlic, lemon juice, yogurt, salt and pepper.  Add in fresh dill.  Mix.  Add the shredded beets and top with a  little more fresh dill.

It’s both beautiful and delicious.  Our new favorite way to serve beets!



Leave a Reply

6 thoughts on “beet tzatziki

  1. liz says:

    The photo is amazing. If it tastes half as good as it looks it’s a winner. The beet industry would do well to find you. Your blog alone has taken beets next level.

  2. YUM!! This sounds totally delicious – I also am beet crazy (after HATING them as a kid!). You know they are also a super liver food?? Which means, you see, more wine as well :). I also love tzkiki (even if I hate spelling it!) and cant wait to give this a try! SO glad we’ve connected! xx

    1. drealieberg says:

      Me too! I love your blog!

  3. D says:

    Dar Salam on Alberta in Portland makes a mean beet salad. give it a try if you’re in the neighborhood!

  4. So beautiful!! Inspired me to make a version with raw beets too. Love everything on your blog.

    1. Andrea says:

      woohoo!!! So glad you loved it!

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