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Beetroot Crisps
Thin, ruby beetroot crisps baked until crackly: an earthy, colourful swap for shop-bought crisps.
~234 kcalper serving~5g protein~23g carbs~14g fat
Estimated. Worked out from the ingredients using the UK food composition tables, so treat it as a guide rather than a measurement. A typical recipe lands within about a quarter of the true figure. Makes about 1.
Ingredients
- 3 beetroot, very thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt
- Optional: rosemary
Cooking Steps
Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F).
Pat the beetroot slices very dry and toss with olive oil and salt.
Lay in a single layer on lined trays.
Bake 25–35 minutes, turning, until crisp.
Cool completely to crisp up.
Optional Enhancements
- Parsnip or sweet potato crisps
- Add rosemary or thyme
- A pinch of chilli
Plant & Growing Tips
Beetroot
- Sow seeds directly in well-drained soil in full sun after the last frost, spacing them about 3-4 inches apart.
- Keep soil consistently moist for tender roots and leaves, as dryness can lead to woody beets.
- Consider succession planting every few weeks for a continuous harvest.
Rosemary
- Plant in full sun and well-drained soil; it tolerates dry conditions once established.
- Can be grown in pots, especially in colder climates, to bring indoors during winter.
- Provide good air circulation to prevent fungal issues, especially in humid environments.
Natural Pest Control
- Aphids (Beetroot): Spray affected plants with a strong jet of water or a dilute insecticidal soap solution.
- Slugs/Snails (Beetroot): Hand-pick slugs in the evening or use organic slug pellets around plants.
- Spider Mites (Rosemary, if stressed): Increase humidity around the plant and spray with insecticidal soap if an infestation occurs.
Harvest
Beetroot
- Harvest when roots are 1-3 inches in diameter for peak tenderness; larger beets can become woody.
- You can also harvest young beet greens for salads by snipping outer leaves, leaving the root to continue growing.
Rosemary
- Snip sprigs as needed throughout the growing season, taking care not to remove more than one-third of the plant at a time.
- Harvest before flowering for the most intense flavor, though flowers are also edible.
- Regular harvesting encourages bushier growth.
Storing & Freezing
Store airtight 2–3 days.
