BEETASTIC

I’d just gotten up and was headed to the kitchen when my husband Steven stopped me in the hallway holding out a tray with vegetables on it.

“Oh good. You’re up!” He said as he held out the tray for me to see. “I was just coming to show you what Alex and I got out of the garden this morning!”

I looked at the lettuce, carrots, and onions that he’d been picking for the last few weeks but now there were a few new things on his tray. “These green beans look amazing!” I said as I picked up a few from the pile.” Putting them down I picked up another vegetable. It had a reddish color and was the size of a golf ball. “What’s this?”

“It’s the first of our beets!” He said proudly.

I put the beet back on the tray and took my phone out of my bathrobe pocket. “I guess it’s time to figure out how I’m suppose to cook them.” I sighed as we both walked toward the kitchen together.

I was still scrolling through my phone when Steven put the tray down on the counter top and patted me on the shoulder. “Good luck with that.” He said as he headed for his office.

I stopped long enough to fill the kettle with water and turn it on before picking up my phone again.

My son Alex came in the room. “Did you see all the things we got out of the garden today?”

“I saw.” I said as I looked over at the tray then held up my phone. “I’m trying to decide the best way to cook the beets as we speak.”

I went over to the drawer and got out a pair of disposable gloves and put them on.

“Have you decided how you want to cook them?” He asked as he picked one up off the tray, tossed it in the air before catching it again.

I took it out of his hand. “I’m going to roast them.” I pulled out the vegetable peeler from the drawer and held it up with my gloved hand. “But first I have to peel them and I’m not in the mood to have my hands covered in beet juice first thing in the morning.”

Alex leaned against the counter top. “Have you ever eaten them roasted before?”

I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders. “I have no idea. I’ve never cooked them before.” I began peeling the outer skin off as little splatters of red juice began covering the paper towel I’d laid them on. “When I was little I saw them boiled before.” I used my forearm to wipe off a flick of juice that had landed on my cheek. “Can you turn the oven on to 400 degrees and then get me the olive oil and some tin foil, please?”

“Sure.” When Alex got everything he placed it on the counter.

I’d just finished peeling them and held one out to him. “Can you drizzle some olive oil on this and rip me off a piece of foil so I can wrap it up?”

“Okay.”

We repeated this with each beet until the half dozen I had were done. Peeling off my gloves I tossed them in the trash before placing the beets on a baking sheet and put them in the oven.

Closing the oven door I looked over at Alex. “Well, when I got up this morning I had no idea this would be how I’d spend the first twenty minutes of my day.” I laughed as I went over to get my tea cup from the cabinet.

“See!” Alex laughed as he held out his arms for a hug. “Your summer break is going to be filled with surprises!”