Beets buying tips

Availability: Year-round

Peak Season: June through October

Buying Tips: Choose smooth, deeply colored beets without ridges and blemishes; soft spots indicate decay. Buy evenly sized beets for uniform cooking. The green tops, if attached, should be fresh-looking. (They can be cooked separately like other greens.) I addition to the familiar crimson-colored beets, golden beets and striped beets are often available at specialty food stores and farmers’ markets.

To Cook: Beets can be boiled, but roasting enhances their natural sweetness. Cook beets unpeeled and uncut to retain their color.