3 large beets, roots intact but tops trimmed off
salt
Pesto
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cups packed fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 tablespoons packed fresh mint leaves
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, toasted
1/8 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
salt
Finishing
salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons loosely packed fresh mint leaves, julienned or minced
2 tablespoon fresh-leaf parsley leaves, julienned or minced
For the salad
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Salt the water, then add the beets and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until fork-tender. Alternately, you can cook the beets in a pressure cooker under high pressure for 15-20 minutes with a cup of water added. Let naturally pressure release for 5 minutes, then manual release the rest of the steam.
- Drain the beets and rinse under cold water, using your fingers to rub off the skins off. Set the beets aside and let cool.
- In a food processor, combine the garlic, parsley, mint, pepitas, olive oil, and lemon juice. Pulse until very well combined. Season with salt. If the pesto is too thick, add water a tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Slice the beet into rounds or wedges, place on a platter, and lightly season with salt. Drizzle the beets with the pesto and olive oil, then sprinkle with the mint and parsley leaves. Serve immediately, or refrigerate and serve chilled.
**optional substitutions:
substitute cilantro for part of the parsley in the pesto or finishing herbs;
swap out toasted sesame oil for the olive oil drizzle