Do you spiralize? ZOODLES (zucchini noodles) are definitely a "thing." Appearing in beautiful social media photos all over the web, spiralized noodles are a delicious healthy "noodle" craze encouraging more veggie and fruit intake; this is one trend that I am stoked to see take flight. Zoodles is a catchy name, but since this recipe uses beets instead of zucchini, can we call them BEETLES? Oh yeah!
Inexpensive and simple to use, spiralizers create delicious veggie (or fruit) noodles using beets, carrots, zucchini, sweet potatoes, and more! Although the taste is different than traditional pasta noodles, spiralized vegetable and fruit noodles are a fabulous replacement for traditional pasta as noodles can be served raw, sauteed, or even baked/cooked. Besides the vibrant and yummy meals it creates, the spiralizer also puts to use larger beetroots that tend to be less tender and more fibrous. Hooray for less produce waste!
Have you tried Golden (yellow) Beets? Bred for the distinct yellow color, the roots contain orange or rosy skin with golden yellow flesh. Golden beets are sweet in taste and less likely to stain your hands, cutting board, counter tops, etc. Although golden beets do contain a different nutritional profile than red beets, both beet varieties are filled with fabulous health benefits, such as cleansing the liver/kidneys and are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. There are so many nutritious reasons to eat more beets!
This recipe features raw golden beets with apples and mint. Tossing noodles with a light dressing (olive oil, lime juice, garlic, salt and pepper) highlights the beets' sweet earthy flavor paired with crunchy apples and aromatic mint. If you wish to add protein, for plant-based proteins add edamame, tofu, or chick peas. For a non-veggie protein, grilled chicken makes a great addition to this dish. The options are limitless!
For more Golden Beet recipes try: Roasted Golden Beet, Grapefruit and Fennel Salad; Golden Beet, Orange and Mango Smoothie; Golden Beet, Kale, and Peach Smoothie.
Raw Golden Beet Noodles with Apple and Mint Recipe
INGREDIENTS (Serves 2)
3 golden (yellow) beets
2 apples
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
2-3 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper (optional)
1 tsp minced garlic
sunflower seeds and feta (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. Using your favorite spiral vegetable slicer, slice raw peeled beets and apples into spiral noodles.
2. Gently wash and chop mint leaves. Add apples, beets and mint leaves to medium-large bowl.
3. In a small bowl, mix all dressing ingredients.
4. Gently toss apple, beet, and mint with dressing.
5. Top noodles with sunflower seeds and/or feta (optional).
6. Noodles and dressing can be chilled for 2-3 hours in advance (better flavor). Noodles and apples may brown, but the lime juice helps retain vibrant color during oxidization.
STILL HUNGRY?
