Because of our blood orange success, I was convinced that gore was the way to go when introducing bright red fruits and vegetables. I was wrong. I highly, highly recommend that you don’t offer new foods by saying this: “hey kids, we’re doing a mystery food tonight and it’s going to be bloody!”
The beets were rejected pretty quickly. Sam and Emma liked them for a tenth of a nanosecond before deciding that beets were horrible. Talk of garbage came up a few times, which I understand. Beets have a certain earthy quality; getting accustomed to them can take a while.. I’m not down and out on beets yet though… they have potential. Next time I’ll try to spruce them up with a little blood orange juice. We’ll see what happens….
ME: Hey what is this?
SAM: It’s not bloody.
LAUREN: I would guess that it’s reddish black on the inside.
ME: But what is the name of this?
LAUREN: Blood orange?
ME: It’s not blood orange.
EMMA: It looks like a little bit like juice.
ME: A little bit right, it’s really dark red like your red juice. It’s like solid juice. Like your favorite, like cranberry juice.
EMMA: Yeah, I’ll smell it. (Sniffs) Yummy!
ME: Yummy? Does it smell so good?
EMMA: Yeah.
ME: What does it smell like?
EMMA: I want to eat it.
ME: Well let’s give everyone a chance to smell it first. Sam, what does it smell like?
SAM: Garbage.
ME: What do you think it smells like?
LAUREN: Yummy!
ME: OK, so two yummies and a garbage.
EMMA: I want to eat it!
ME: Do you want to touch it first?
EMMA: Ummm, yummy!
ME: Do you want me to sprinkle salt on it or have it all on its own? OK, Emma’s going to try the first bite. Who’s next?
LAUREN: I didn’t even describe it.
ME: What’s it called? It’s called a…..beet! Is it good? What does it taste like?
EMMA: Good.
ME: I’m going to taste one because I love beets. Mmmmm it’s yummy.
EMMA: No more.
ME: But you liked it though?
EMMA: Yeah.
ME: It can stain a little bit, put it in your mouth really quickly.
LAUREN: It doesn’t look bloody.
ME: So what does it look like?
LAUREN: Marker.
ME: Try it, you can have a small one, try the small one before someone else does.
LAUREN: (Tries it, makes a face) No.
ME: OK, Sam’s turn, you can pick a small one or a big one, or do you want me to choose for you.
SAM: I don’t want one.
ME: OK well I’m going to pick the big one, you’d better pick the small one, hurry!
SAM: (grabs the small one and eats it)
ME: It’s good right? You can dip it into a bit of salt if you like. What do you think?
LAUREN: Emma was about to say it tastes like garbage. And I actually agree with her.
EMMA: It tastes like garbage.
ME: So what do you think? Does anyone want a second bite? So should we get beets again?
LAUREN and SAM: No!
ME: Were they terrible or not so bad?
LAUREN: Terrible.
I don’t think I’ve actually ever tried a raw beet (or at least one that wasn’t pickled… are those cooked? I don’t even know!) I do love them roasted though (especially with feta!!) The roasting seems to bring out their sweetness. My kids have not been big fans, but each time I make them, they like them better… The one way they do like them is when I make a “beet sauce,” for pasta.
Ha! They were definitely cooked, I’m not that evil 🙂 They were roasted in foil…But I’ve seen them finely grated and you can definitely eat them raw that way. Love the beet sauce recipe. I’ll have to keep trying- there was definitely potential with Emma and Sam, I think they were just shocked by a new flavor.
I hated beets as a kid. Now love them – especially roasted in foil. “Marker” – LOVE it!
She’s a funny one, that bear….marker was actually a pretty good description, she looked like she’d taken a red dry erase to her finger after she touched it 🙂
We eat them raw shredded on salad. They are great that way and add a nice crunch. Aaron really likes pickles so when i wanted to get him eating beets I started pickling them and they are a staple at our house. I keep a jar in the fridge at all times.
Love that…I’m so interested in pickling, I may need to do a post on that at some point soon. The real deal pickles are obnoxiously expensive, I just need to get over the botulism fear factor. I can always do quick pickles though and have them for a week or so. Thanks for the suggestion Mel!
I can’t see myself ever liking beets. But, I can manage to juice them and drink them with other fruits and veggies. They are the woman’s herb! So healing for all of our lady parts : )
Beets are an acquired taste for sure- I don’t love them plain, but they’re great in salads with some citrus and goat cheese. Had no idea about the woman’s herb, thanks for that info, will look that up!
I wasn’t a beet fan until I was in my 20s. An acquired taste I think. They are really good sports! I love Sam’s comment “garbage”!
Beets are my fave!! (love your Instagram feed and look forward to exploring your blog when I have a few (kid free) minutes!)