Farm Beets with Spinach and fried Chick Peas
Farm Beets with Spinach and fried Chick Peas are a few of my favourite things. My father Pietro a Sicilian loves chick peas and he loves them roasted. He is also the funniest most expressive storyteller and has several tales that involve chick peas. I went to Colasanti Greenhouses today and picked up some fresh beets that I dressed up with sautéed spinach and fried chick peas.
My love of vegetables
Vegetables are my go to for many meals. Even if I make pasta, I incorporate vegetables. Today I want something that is full of vitamins and flavour. During my tech week with the play, I have eaten a lot of junk food and I want to realign my system and get back on track. Beets are highly nutritious and we ate a lot of them growing up. My nonna canned them and we ate them boiled with a little olive oil, vinegar, oregano and garlic. For some good health facts read: http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/top-10-health-benefits-of-beetroot/#gref
My nonni always had the best vegetable garden. My nonno Salvatore was a farmer in Calabria; he traveled around his area and worked the lands for others and that is how he provided for his family. They had a small plot of land that yielded olives and other vegetables for personal use. He was a role model with a strong work ethic. Salvatore taught us that there is no shame in any work that one does. He farmed with pride and his knowledge always astounds me.
Salvatore was not an educated man, but his ability to do mental math was uncanny. He often sat at the kitchen table with me and used toothpicks to help me count. He is my hero; his selfless acts provided the wonderful life we have today, rich in every way. No matter where I am, or what I do, I take his work ethic with me. Every time I look at a vegetable, it takes me back to that garden, those memories of a childhood filled with laughter and easy times.
The Process
Take a can of chick peas, rinse and drain well before you put into a pan. This is better than roasting them. I keep a container in the fridge and eat as a snack or sprinkle over salads.
The beets are fresh from the local greenhouse. I wash and roast them with the skins on. These are like candy.
There is nothing like fresh spinach; don’t buy that bagged stuff. All the grocery stores carry fresh bunches. Clip the ends and wash it yourself.
So much goodness on one plate. For me this is a complete and tasty meal.
Farm Fresh Beets with Spinach and Roasted Chick Peas
Bring healthy back to your table
Ingredients
- 1 bunch fresh beets
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 can chick peas
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 bunch fresh spinach
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
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Wash and dry beets and place on aluminum foil.
Drizzle with olive oil. Salt and pepper beets. Add peeled cloves of garlic.
Place in 375 F oven for 45 minutes.
Drain and rinse your chick peas.
Place 2 tbsp of olive oil in a frying pan and heat.
Add chick peas and sprinkle with Italian Seasoning. Cook until golden.
Remove from pan and add another 2 tbsp of olive oil. Add spinach, salt and pepper and wilt.
Remove beets from oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
Peel the skin and slice beets into slices.
Put the spinach in the middle of a large platter.
Arrange the beets around the spinach.
Sprinkle chick peas over top.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Sprinkle with 1 tsp oregano.
Drizzle with more good olive oil and with a balsamic glaze.
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