Do you ever get a really weird craving? One of the most random food cravings I get every so often is for beets.
(Side Note: The last time a beet craving hit I made Borscht; all I can say is that if you think you don’t like beets, make this soup.)
Gorgeous, jewel-toned, deep crimson-colored beets are my favorite. Earthy, but so sweet, they’re almost like candy. Unlike candy, beets provide fabulous antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support. Beets are rich in betalain pigments (which help your body eliminate toxins) and are a good source of folate, potassium, manganese, and copper. They’re also low in calories, high in fiber, and contain vitamin C, vitamin B6, and iron. They are fabulous for purifying the blood and detoxing the liver. (You can read more about the health benefits of beets on The World’s Healthiest Foods.)
Eating beets raw is the best way to maximize their health benefits, and of course it’s the easiest way to prepare them (double win!), so I kept the beets raw in this salad.
Be sure you don’t skip the pomegranate arils (which are rich in antioxidants and may help prevent heart disease; read more about pomegranate on WebMD) and pumpkin seeds (which are a great source of several vitamins and minerals, like vitamin B3 and zinc; read more about pumpkin seeds on LiveStrong). Plus, the pom arils add a lovely sweet pop of flavor and the pumpkin seeds add a nice nutty crunch, making this a completely satisfying salad.
Beet and Carrot Salad with Pomegranate and Pumpkin Seeds has just a few fruits and veggies, but it packs a huge punch of flavor in addition to the obvious nutritional benefits. If you want to detox (or just like eating healthy), but don’t want to be restricted to nibbling on leafy greens, this salad is the way to go.
With the holiday season coming to a close, go ahead and indulge tonight, but think about this salad tomorrow. ;)
Happy New Year’s Eve!
- 1 small red onion, diced small
- 1½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or fresh lemon juice)
- 1½ tablespoons pomegranate molasses
- 1½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 large beet (preferably organic), scrubbed and shredded
- 2 medium carrots (preferably organic), scrubbed and shredded
- 1 cup chopped organic fresh flat-leaf parsley
- ½ cup pomegranate arils
- ¼ cup unsalted toasted pumpkin seeds
- Stir together all ingredients for the dressing and set aside so the flavors can blend while you prep the veggies.
- Stir the beet, carrot, and parsley into the dressing, and then transfer to a shallow bowl. Sprinkle the pomegranate arils and pumpkin seeds on top. Serve.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
Just gorgeous! I just emailed this to a friend of mine who loves beets!
I could not have asked for a better way to use up all the beets in my fridge. These flavors are wonderful!
I love beetroots but I have to admit that I rarely eat them raw. This detox salad makes such perfect use of the humble beetroot and I definitely must make it!
I must admit I’m not the biggest beet fan, but this salad looks awesome. Definitely trying soon!