Spaghetti & beet balls

 

When mashed together, beetroot turns the food around it purple, reason enough to eat it in copious amounts if you ask me. According to my sources beetroot and beetroot juice, along with leafy green vegetables are also very useful as part of a balanced diet as their nitrate content may help to reduce blood pressure. Win Win!

 

Its a shame however that many of us think of the super bland crinkle cut pickled beetroot from a jar when we think of this delicious root vegetable. Humour me then as I ask you to consider that the humble beetroot may form the basis of this delicious meal in place of its partner in rhyme.

 

Here we go! (I'm gonna act under the assumption you can cook spaghetti like it says on the pack) 

 Ingredients 

For the beet balls

  • 2-3 bulbs of cooked or fresh beetroot (will take much longer)
  • 1 tin of chick peas
  • 1 large white onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 red pepper
  • 2-3 heaped tablespoons of flour (I used almond)

Spices used - cajun, fresh basil, paprika

 

How to

 

  1. Chop all the ingredients finely & roast together in the oven for around 20-25 minutes using a little olive oil.
  2. When cooked through, remove from the oven, mash all ingredients with a potato masher in a large mixing bowl, add the flour & roll into beet balls!
  3. Top tip - if they are a little dry add some tomato puree to help bind. If they are a little soggy or moist, add some extra flour.  

 

Now for the sweet n spicy bolognese sauce

 

Ingredients

  • 1 tin of chopped tomatoes
  • 200g of passata
  • 1 white onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 red pepper
  • 1 medium red chilli
  • 1 tablespoon of agave nectar or honey

Spices used, chilli flakes, paprika, cayenne,handful of fresh basil. 

 

How to;

 

  1. Fry the onion, garlic, red pepper & chilli in a little olive oil & add the spices until soft (amounts will vary really, for goodness sake just chuck in a little bit of each) 
  2. Add the chopped tomatoes, agave, passata & simmer on a low heat for 20-25 minutes until the sauce is thick & delicious. 
  3. To serve, add the beet balls onto a plate of warm spaghetti and layer over the sauce & some freshly chopped basil. 

 

Now go hit that perfect beet!  

#bronskibeat 

Here's what the beetroot & chick pea mash should look like.  

Here's what the beetroot & chick pea mash should look like.  

Gary Milligan