Thursday, March 5, 2015

Beets

Toril & Tully Collaboration "Beety Babies"  24x36
Beets

Bright stems and leaves freshly chopped, stewed,
splashed with olive oil, garlic, and currants,
tossed with red wine vinegar; a tasty lunch is had.

But what to do with rubies that bed beneath the soil?
Boiled, roasted, or steamed they may be,
yet childhood memories still haunt - sitting table side for hours,

trails of red saturating kitchen chopping block;
proof they suffered as much as I.

Perhaps a truce
with brushstrokes of carmine, boysenberry, and pink
framed upon kitchen wall;

finally coexist.

by Margaret Bednar, March 5, 2015

This if for "Imaginary Garden of Real Toads - Artistic Interpretations - Art with Toril".  I am hosting this challenge and invite you to join in the fun.  More poems by a variety of talented poets and more art work by Toril.

I did find one recipe that I might like that includes beets.  I have yet to try this.

Beet Hummus  Soak chickpeas (1 cup dried) overnight, drain, boil with chopped onion.  Cook for one hour or until soft.  Drain.  Reserve 1 cup of cooking liquid.  Allow chickpeas to cool.  Cook unpeeled beets (1 pound - or about 3) in boiling water for 1-1/2 hours or until tender.  Drain and cool slightly before removing skins.  Chop beets and chop in food processor.  Add chickpeas and onion mixture, 1/2 cup tahini, 3 crushed garlic cloves, and 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1 Tablespoon cumin and process until smooth.  Slowly add 1/4 cup olive oil and reserved cooking liquid while machine is running.  Blend mixture until it is thoroughly  combined.  Drizzle with a little olive oil to serve.

20 comments:

Jim said...

I enjoyed reading of your dilemma, Margaret. Mom would pickle her beets.
I loved them, much better than cooked ones. She didn't leave her recipe but I'm sure a similar one is on the Internet.
..

TexWisGirl said...

i ate too many beets as a kid to ever touch them again. :)

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Love the sound of that tasty lunch! I enjoyed this poem so much, especially the framed painting and "finally, a happy coexistence."

hedgewitch said...

You capture the vivid colors of the artist here, Margaret.

Vandana Sharma said...

hmmmmmmmmmmmm yummy!!!

said...

What gorgeous writing.

Hannah said...

Ooo...that recipe!!

I love the colors you bring and the contrasting emotions...it's amazing how much our taste-buds mature!

Susan said...

Haha! Their blood stained my fingers many a time. Finding a way to co-exist opened up that deliciousness.

hyperCRYPTICal said...

Yummy! I always enjoyed beetroot - even as a child - but only if boiled (and vacuumed packed) - never the horrible pickled stuff.
Anna :o]

brudberg said...

Ha.. I truly enjoyed the suffering as a child.. I think I have entered a truce too., but I think I have been through hard times with beetroots too.

Kerry O'Connor said...

I am glad the humble beet has been given its chance to shine in art and word.

Lolamouse said...

I remember the pickled beets in a jar from childhood and I just can't bring myself to eat beets now! They do have gorgeous colors, though. I love your detante with your beets!

Other Mary said...

Hahaha - I think you have a lot of company with you feeling for beets. I love the truce you have come to though. Who couldn't enjoy beets in this form?

Jennifer Wagner said...

Ha! I could never stand beets as a kid and haven't made myself try them in years--but you make them sound delicious in the opening of your poem. And Toril's work is so vibrant and appealing, too.

Anonymous said...

I love beets, esp., pickled. I love that they ended in a picture on your wall.

Susie Clevenger said...

Beets, better a painting than on my tongue. I could never stand the taste.

Outlawyer said...

Great colors and color names--I dearly love beets--but you capture their stain! k. (Http://manicddaily.wordpress.com)

C.C. said...

"rubies that bed beneath the soil" is such a unique description....and I love the way you've incorporated childhood memories into this. I love beets, but can feel your childhood angst and memories nonetheless.

Fireblossom said...

Perfect companion to the image.

Asobime said...

I love the truce. LOL! Funny and evocative.
Lady Nyo