BEETS MEMORIES

BEETS MEMORIES

Yesterday at the farmer’s market at State Center here in Baltimore, Maryland, I couldn’t resist the beautiful burgundy of the beets with their dark green, crisp leaves, with wine colored, vines running through them. I watched them lying among the turnips, potatoes, parsnips and butternut squashes.

seasoned beet leaves

fresh beets with leaves

The beets’ vibrations were so strong that I bought myself a bunch trying to figure out what special dish I would want to create with them. And then I remembered my childhood days in Montserrat, with my grandmother scrubbing the dirt off the beets she had just pulled from her garden, while she soaked and washed the leaves over and over again to get the sand off of them, so she could add them to her callaloo.  

My grandmother made many different things with her beets and the beet leaves. She would use her hand mill to grind the beets, soak it in a bit of water, strain it and give to me to drink. Sometimes I thought my grandmother was speaking to me as if I was an adult, because when it came to food she was always teaching me, about how powerful food is. She would remind me of how good beets are; she would ask me why I believe I do not get sick. My grandmother told me that beets make me healthy by cleansing my blood and nourishing my liver. So, I'd turn my nose up and drink the beet juice, and guess what after I got older I began to enjoy it.

Sometimes she would make braised beets and onions and her callaloo and I would enjoy that. On the days when she made her braised beets and onions and her callaloo I was especially happy because they were two of my favorites. When it came to her food I couldn’t wait to eat because it was always delicious.  

Now I know why my grandmother was always telling me about food. Today, the market brought back memories of my granny. Wherever your grandmother is today give thanks, give her a thought, say thanks grandma, thanks for me. I am alive!!! You did well.

For your free recipe of braised beets copy the link below and paste in your browser. http://festivepalate.com/2012/11/23/braised-beets-with-onions/