This simple fall salad features chioggia beets, a beautiful candy stripe beet, that is both sweet and earthy. The beets are paired with spicy arugula and creamy goronzola for a well balanced salad that is anything but ordinary.

As the weather cools and the colors outside shift from bright green to beautiful oranges and reds, I find myself craving different foods. All summer, I couldn’t get enough of this simple salad, and everything super light and fresh. But with a bit of a chill in the air, I find myself gravitating towards totally different vegetables. Thats the beauty of seasonal eating. I’ve traded in juicy heirloom tomatoes and crispy cucumbers for earthy beets, sweet squash, hearty dark leafy greens, and crunchy Brussels sprouts.

I have to admit, I used to hate beets. I blame it on never eating truly fresh beets (those sad, slimy, beets from a can found on your average salad bar just give the poor vegetable a bad name). I still remember getting beets in my first CSA and cringing at the fact that I had to cook them. But that was how I learned to like beets. And it turns out I was missing out.

So, if you’ve sworn off beets, get some from your local farmer’s market and try, try again.

What are chiogga beets?

Chiogga beets look like a light pink beet from the outside and often have a white section near where the greens hit the root. But when you cut into them, you find beautiful surprise! They are also referred to as candy stripe beets due to their stripped interior that mimics the colors of a candy cane. They taste very similar to other beets, but make less of a mess than red beets as they are less likely to bleed everywhere. They are an easy way to impress dinner guests as they look like something really special!

They often come with the beet greens attached (as do other beets, but I find that they are less likely to be sold as just the root).

Note: If you can’t find chioggia beets, you can use red or yellow beets in this salad. I just like them for the aesthetic effect!

What Should I Do with the Beet Greens?

When beets are sold with their greens, don’t toss them! They give kale a run for its money when it comes to nutrients and can add a nice earthy flavor to any dish. I asked people on instagram last week what they do with their beet greens and there were so many creative solutions! Basically, they can replace any other green you might have in your fridge. Here are a few ways you can use them:

• Sautee with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, and enjoy as a side.

• Add to soups, pastas, smoothies

• Eat raw as a salad green

• Make beet green pesto

What are the health benefits of eating beets?

Both the beet roots and the greens are full of fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, magnesium and potassium. They also offer a ton of phytonutrients (plant nutrients with health benefits), which can reduce inflammation and fight against many diseases. Beets also contain a natural form of nitrates, which in a concentrated beet juice form has been linked to improved athletic performance and lower blood pressure.

While beets can be delicious on their own, this salad pairs them with spicy arugula and creamy gorgonzola to balance the sweetness, while a little fresh thyme enhances their earthy flavor. The flavors are so bold, yet fresh, you barely need any dressing — just a light drizzle of olive oil, some balsamic glaze (or balsamic vinegar if you’d don’t have the glaze), and a pinch of sea salt.

The beets can be roasted up to 3 days ahead, which is nice to do on a Sunday when you have time. Store them whole in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you are ready to use them. Then this salad comes together in minutes!