Chioggia Beets with Raspberry Mint Vinaigrette

A vibrant and refreshing salad featuring tender Chioggia beets dressed in a bright raspberry-mint vinaigrette with orange zest, fresh herbs, and scallions. The candy-striped beets are perfectly complemented by the tangy-sweet dressing.

4 servings
55 min

Ingredients

  • 1 lb beets (4 to 6; preferably Chioggia*), 1 inch of stems left intact
  • 3 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions
  • 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh orange zest
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 1 garnish fresh mint sprigs

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Cover beets with water by 1 inch in a 2- to 3-quart saucepan and simmer until tender when pierced in center with a fork, about 30 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Let stand until cool enough to handle, then slip off and discard skins. Cut beets into 1/4-inch-thick slices.

    45 min

  2. 2.

    While beets are cooking, stir together scallions, 2 tablespoons vinegar, lemon juice to taste, mint, zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until combined. Add warm beets and toss with vinaigrette and vinegar and salt to taste. Serve warm or slightly chilled.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    *Sometimes called candy-cane beets, chioggias become more aggressive in flavor as they age, so search out relatively young beets, with a diameter of 1 1/2 to 2 inches.