Garden-Fresh Beet, Thyme, and Apple Salad Recipe from Gardenuity
In this article, we'll be discussing a delightful Beets, Thyme & Apple Salad recipe and providing a comprehensive guide on how to grow a successful fall beet garden for a plentiful harvest.
The Beets, Thyme & Apple Salad is a favourite of the author, offering a sweet, savoury, and slightly spicy flavour profile that is sure to tantalise your taste buds. This recipe, featured in Food & Wine, requires 4 large beets, 5 thyme sprigs, 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, prepared horseradish, salted pistachios, a green apple, and a fresh loaf of sourdough bread or Herby Garlic Flatbread for pairing.
To prepare the salad, begin by roasting the beets. In a baking dish, lightly drizzle the beets and thyme with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, cover with foil, and roast until tender, approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. Once cooled, peel the beets and cut them into 3/4-inch dice.
For the dressing, in a large bowl, whisk the vinegar with the mustard. Whisk in the remaining 1/2 cup of oil until emulsified. Add the horseradish and season with salt and pepper; toss with the beets and pistachios. Transfer the beets to a platter, top with the apple, and serve!
Now, let's focus on growing a successful fall beet garden. With the cooler temperatures approaching, now is the perfect time to start a fall garden, especially for growing beets. Beets are hardy and love cooler temperatures, making them ideal for cool-season gardens. They are also a popular and easy-to-grow vegetable for fall gardens.
To grow a successful fall beet garden for a plentiful harvest, start by planting beet seeds about 8 to 9 weeks before your area's first expected frost date. Choose fast-maturing beet varieties suitable for fall, such as Detroit Dark Red, Chioggia, or Ruby Queen, which mature in about 50 to 65 days and hold up well in cooler, shorter days.
Plant seeds 1 inch deep and space them 3 to 4 inches apart in loose, well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0 to 7.5) enriched with compost if needed. Beets need full sun and consistent moisture—about 1 inch of water per week—to avoid cracking or rot caused by soggy soil. To maximise space and yields, you can mix seeds with coarse sand and sow evenly, then thin seedlings after germination, replanting the thinned young plants to increase your overall harvest.
Prepare the soil well by moistening and cooling it before planting, particularly if planting in late summer to early fall, and consider using insulating fabric or cloches as temperatures drop to extend the growing season. Harvest beets when roots reach 1 to 2 inches in diameter; smaller beets and greens can be harvested earlier for baby beets and fresh greens.
Following these guidelines will help ensure a plentiful fall beet crop. In addition, for those still considering planting an autumn garden, vegetable garden kits can be a great starting point.
Beets offer numerous health benefits, including high levels of iron, fiber, and vitamins A & C. These deep-red roots can be used in various meals, including desserts, making them a versatile and nutritious addition to your garden and meals. Enjoy growing your own fall beet garden and savouring the delicious Beets, Thyme & Apple Salad!
The Beets, Thyme & Apple Salad is a delightful addition to the author's lifestyle, featuring a unique combination of flavors suitable for food-and-drink enthusiasts. The garden-fresh beets used in this recipe can be successfully grown at home in a fall garden as part of a home-and-garden project, thanks to their hardy nature and preference for cooler temperatures. Homegrown beets not only bring a touch of nature to one's meals but also boost the nutritional value, offering healthy doses of iron, fiber, and vitamins A & C. So, consider planting a fall beet garden for a plentiful harvest and the opportunity to enjoy this Beets, Thyme & Apple Salad with homemade beets.
