Irecently served as the beet thinner and harvester at a community garden where I volunteer. Some of our harvest goes to a local food pantry, while the helpers take home a share of fresh-from-the-garden goodness.

Harvesting root vegetables like beets feels like a treasure hunt — you never quite know what’s hiding under the leaves.

Besides red, purple and golden yellow, beets can also be white. Harvesting them at golf-ball size or slightly larger will ensure they are not woody.

I “earned” many beets as my share. Some beets were purple-red and others were a gold-orange color.

My family eyed the container of beets by the sink with a mix of curiosity and caution. Their expressions said it all: “What is she going to have us eat now?”

People have a somewhat love-hate relationship with beets.

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