Beet greens are often discarded in favor of their roots, which is unfortunate, because they contain a wonderful, earthy flavor and are highly nutritious. Use them as you would chard or spinach.
Beets are very low in cholesterol, and they are a good source of vitamin C, iron, magnesium, folate, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber. They are especially good for cardiovascular health due to certain unique pigment antioxidants in the root, as well as in the green tops that have been found to protect against coronary artery disease and stroke, and lower cholesterol levels within the body. They are also reputed to provide relief for women from menstrual cramps.
Beet greens have almost twice the potassium of beet roots and higher amounts of beta carotene, an important antioxidant that helps fight numerous diseases. So eating both the root and the greens is especially nutritious—not to mention delicious!
To store beets, separate the leaves from the root, leaving an inch or two of the stems attached to the root. Remove any leaves that are damaged before storing the tops in a loosely wrapped plastic bag or a clean wet dish towel in the crisper section of the refrigerator, for no more than a few days. Roots should also be stored similarly—if left in the crisper unwrapped, they will quickly dehydrate and become soft.