If you think that you don’t like beets, you may want to reconsider. Although this root vegetable may complicated to prepare, once you learn the proper steps to cooking fresh beets, you just might discover a new favorite side dish! Begin by peeling away the outer skin and slicing off the stalks, then try one of these tasty preparation styles:

1. Roast them. One of the most foolproof ways to make beets more appealing to even the pickiest eaters is by roasting them in the oven. Simply peel them (taking care to not stain light countertops or clothing), slice them in half, and drizzle the beets with olive oil before placing them in a foil-lined baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes until they’re tender, fragrant, and flavorful.
2. Cook in the microwave. If you’re pressed for time, cooking beets in the microwave is fast and easy. Place the beets in a microwave-safe dish with an inch of water in the bottom, then microwave for 2 to 4 minutes.
3. Pickle them. If you’re a fan of the tangy taste of pickled vegetables, try a quick refrigerator pickling process that’s much less involved than more traditional pickling methods.
4. Eat them raw. It may seem strange, but raw beets are actually quite delicious. Slice them up in a salad, or even top them with fresh lemon juice for a refreshing snack.

How to Cook Beets (Or Use Them Raw) [VegKitchen]
Five Ways to Eat: Beets [The Kitchn]
Cooking Fresh Beets [Healthy Beets]

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Robert Couse-Baker