Ingredients
- 6 medium beets (2 bunches, or about 3-1/2 pounds)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup inexpensive balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Remove the leafy stems and roots of the beets and peel each one with a vegetable peeler. Cut the beets in 1 1/2-inch chunks.
Place the cut beets on the prepared baking sheet and toss with the olive oil and salt. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, tossing once with a spatula midway through, until the beets are tender when pierced with a thin-bladed knife.
Meanwhile, combine the vinegar and maple syrup in a small, shallow sauté pan. Cook over medium heat until the liquid is just slightly thickened and lightly coats the back of a metal spoon. It should be reduced by about half (or to about 3 tablespoons). Pay close attention and be sure not to over-reduce it; it goes from sweet and syrupy to burnt and hard very quickly.
Toss the glaze with the roasted beets. Serve hot or cold.