There seems to be some foods that strike fear in the hearts of home cooks when it comes to preparation.
BEETS
They often seem to end up near the top of the list. Brussels sprouts may run a close second.
I think it’s because in days gone by, i.e. when our grandmothers and mothers made them, they boiled them within an inch of their lives turning them into mushy side dishes.
If only they had known the magic of ROASTING. How roasting turns these unassuming little vegetables into dishes deserving of center stage.
When Libby’s Fruits and Vegetables asked me to create a fun holiday dish, I immediately knew I wanted to create a fabulous holiday appetizer using beets and show the world they no longer needed to fear this humble root. In fact, I found a way to create TWO appetizers using beets that are perfect served side by side!
Up first…this amazing Roasted Beet Salsa
It’s a healthy alternative to all of the rich holiday appetizers, but equally as delicious! Pair with a creamy goat cheese and crackers for a real treat!
Don't be afraid of canned beets! When roasted and turned into salsa they make the perfect holiday appetizer.
Ingredients
- 6 cans of Libby's Slice Beets
- 1/2 red onion
- non-stick cooking spray
- olive oil
- sea salt
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 small jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
- 2 Tablespoons honey or agave
- 1 Tablespoon lime juice
- zest of one medium size orange
- juice from one medium size orange
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar or zero calorie sweetener (to taste)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 450 º
- Cover large baking sheet (you may need two) with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray
- Drain beets, separate and lay flat on baking sheet(s)
- Peel and slice into 1/2 inch slices half of a red onion, lay on backing sheet with beets
- Drizzle a small amount of olive oil on top of beets and onion and sprinkle lightly with sea salt
- Roast in oven for 20 minutes. Remove baking sheets and allow beets and onion to cool
- Coarsely dice beets and onion and place into medium size bowl
- Stir in remaining ingredients. Add sugar or zero calorie sweetener to taste.
- Best after refrigerating over night for full flavor
- Serve with goat cheese and crackers
and for those of you craving something a little more decadent…how about topping brie with the Roasted Beet Salsa and wrapping it in pastry!
The cheese oozes out of the pastry and the roasted beets add the perfect touch of earthy sweetness!
This pastry wrapped appetizer is the perfect holiday treat! Filled with brie and roasted beet salsa, it is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of Roasted Beet Salsa
- 1 13.5 ounce Brie wheel
- 5 sheets of phyllo dough (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- non-stick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 º
- Line small baking sheet with tinfoil and spray with no stick cooking spray
- Lay down first sheet of phyllo dough horizontally on baking sheet. Keep remaining sheets covered with plastic wrap to avoid drying out
- Brush first sheet with melted butter and top with second sheet, brush with butter. Repeat with third sheet and brush with butter.
- Turn fourth sheet vertically on top of horizontal sheets, it will be in a cross shape. Brush with butter and lay last sheet vertically on top. Brush with butter
- Place brie wheel in center of sheets and top with roasted beet salsa.
- Bring all sheets of phyllo dough up and around brie, pleating sides so that all of the brie and salsa are covered. Overlap corners on top. Brush outside with butter
- Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to stand for 10 minutes.
- Serve with crackers
Are you ready for your Thanksgiving and Holiday cooking? Well, Libby Food’s and At The Picket Fence are teaming up to get you off on the right foot! We’re giving away a Huge Set of Non Stick Baking Pans (tell me I’m not the only one in desperate need of new baking pans?!) AND an assortment of Libby’s Food Products for your Thanksgiving dishes!

Here’s how to enter:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
And here’s another fabulous sweepstakes being held by Libby’s Foods:
Libby’s® Fruits & Vegetables launched today its “Cansgiving” sweepstakes, during which fans are encouraged to submit photos that illustrate what makes them thankful during the holidays. Whether customers are most thankful for their family traditions, grandma’s secret recipe, gatherings with friends or the family pet, the iconic fruits and vegetables company will share fan images that inspire gratitude during the holiday season. In addition to the photos, all month long, Libby’s will be sharing Thanksgiving-themed recipes and tips about holiday family time on its website (www.getbacktothetable.com) and its social media platforms.
Fans can enter the Cansgiving sweepstakes via Facebook, Twitter or Instagram by submitting a photo of what they are most thankful for this holiday season, and including the hashtag: #Cansgiving. Libby’s will award ten participants, chosen at random, with a grocery gift card (worth $350) each toward their family’s Thanksgiving feast, plus a prize pack of Libby’s fruit and vegetable products to help prepare the big meal. The sweepstakes open at noon EST on Nov. 4, 2013, and end at 11:59 a.m. EST on Nov. 18, 2013. Official rules are available at www.getbacktotable.com .
“Our commitment to families extends beyond the food they eat,” said Bruce Wolcott, Vice President of Marketing for Seneca Foods. “We are thankful for our family of Libby’s customers, and want to provide resources to help them create a truly memorable Thanksgiving experience for their loved ones.”
For more Thanksgiving inspiration, consumers can search for seasonal recipes – from party-worthy appetizers to comforting side dishes to festive desserts — in Libby’s Digital Recipe Box, available on the brand’s website or on its Facebook page. Libby’s will also host a Cansgiving Twitter party to talk about family, food and feeling thankful during the holiday season at 2 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2013. Amy Lupold-Bair of popular blog Resourceful Mommy will curate the party, and select participants will win Thanksgiving-themed prizes. Twitter users can follow the conversation using the hashtag, #Cansgiving.
Good luck! And we’ll see you back here soon…at the picket fence!
PS…here’s the full tutorial on my DIY Wood Serving Trays
*Disclosure: I received compensation in exchange for services rendered on behalf of Libby’s Fruits and Vegetables*
I always enjoy a good cheeseball!
I make these sausage rollups that are awesome! https://www.martysmusings.net/2013/03/sausage-roll-ups.html
We always have a chipped beef dip in a sourdough bowl! Yummo!
Heather, this looks very delicious! Everyone on my husband’s side of the family loves beets, so they would be all over this! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the recipe and pinning! Have a happy week!
A cheese ball is my go-to holiday appetizer.
Hey…I love the wood-slice servers that seem to be “embossed.” Did you all make them or have I not been paying attention? They are amazing! Thanks for all your inspiration!
Hi Kimberly, thank you! I made them for HGTV Gardens, the tutorial is over on their website. Here’s the link: https://www.hgtvgardens.com/crafts/make-your-own-rustic-dessert-serving-trays ~Heather
I love beets, but need to put on a bib when I eat them! I seem to always dribble some on myself! Love the wood servers!
So easy but I love hot dogs wrapped in croissants! They can be dipped in almost anything.
My go to holiday appetizer is sausage stuffed in puffed pastry, delicious! Awesome giveaway. Thanks for the chance,
Kara
Stuffed mushrooms are a family favorite.
I like cheese plates for holidays.
Parmesan rosemary pinwheels!
I love finding something I have not tried before.
Anything made with cheese and shaped in a ball! 😉
My go-to appetizer is bruschetta.
I would says it’s these coconut chocolate truffles my family make. It’s a Portuguese recipe 🙂 They are always a hit with everyone!
Great looking recipes and love the giveaway. Thanks!
Never ever the same thing always have to try something new! This looks fantastic and I have added it to my Thanksgiving Appetizer post!
Spinach pinwheels are easy and delicious.
Homemade cheeseball and crackers or crusty bread.
New baking set, oh yes please!
My go to app is stuffed mushrooms.
I love to do a spinach dip or brie en croute. The beets with brie look amazing, will have to try it this holiday season!
I don’t like beets but I am willing to try this!
That’s you!
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Beets are so yummy, as is any type of salsa….a winning combination!
Although I am not a big fan of beets, the dish looks amazing and yummy!
Oh YUM, YUM and more YUM – thanks for the recipes!! My favorite go-to recipe for the Holidays is appetiser meatballs, everybody like them!
Probably cheese straws. I could seriously eat those for a meal!
my favorite is a simple, go-to- cream cheese topped with a roasted pepper and onion jelly.
stuffed mushrooms
I love to serve sweet and spicy nut mixes and baked brie during the holidays!
We just finished the last of our garden beets, but I may have to buy some more to try them roasted!
I like to make the pickle/corn beef/cream cheese roll ups! They are so awesome!
Yum I love beets. I will have to try this recipe, thanks for sharing!
punch bowl cake
My go to appetizer is Spinach Dip
The roasted beets and brie looks pretty interesting. I might have to try that appetizer. Thanks for posting this. I’m a new reader to your blog!
Ham, gruyere, and dijon palmiers!
OH yum I love beets! These recipes look amazing, and I would love those pans!
I always go for deviled eggs and Swedish meatballs.
I do not know whether it’s just me or if perhaps everybody else encountering problems with your site.
It appears as though some of the text on your posts are running off the screen.
Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if
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Cheers
I always have sausage rolls during the holidays. Old family tradition 🙂
My go to appetizer is cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls and basil skewered and drizzled with balsamic vinegar. So good and easy to make!
A shrimp cocktail — easy and delicious!
Our favorite app is 7 layer dip
I make spicy buffalo chicken dip and it always gets rave reviews! My family just gobbles it up… 🙂
We like a cream cheese beef cheese ball with crackers.
Hi! One of my favorite holiday appetizers is Pizza Muffin Wedges, spread pizza sauce on a split English muffins & top with ham, (or pepperoni or bacon), shredded cheese & a pineapple ring, broil & slice into wedges. You can make a tray in no time at all!
spinach and artichoke dip!
Anything with melted cheese!
I can’t wait to try this, I love beets! I love Spinach Artichoke dip! Nettie
Oh my gosh this look amazing! I am a beet freak! I sometimes get a pink at our local co-op and eat the entire thing in about 10 minutes J. I am all over this! xo
PS: App… Baked Brie in a Bread Bowl!
Wow – this might actually get me to try beets again because, well…. CHEESE!! My Mom would LOVE this. Pinned! xo
Artichoke dip is my favorite.
You’re convincing me I may have to rethink beets! Looks yummy.
MMM! This looks so yummy! Great to make for the holidays to impress my guests and family! Thanks for sharing!!!
I love candied bacon.
churros!
That looks delicious and I could so use some new pans!
My favorite go to appetizer is potatoes. Thanks for the giveaway!
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My go to always involves cheese. 🙂 Cheeseballs, cheese platters. Brie and crackers. You name it.
Uhm this beet salsa sounds amazing and I LOVE the tree trunk serving platters. LOVE.
Was typing too fast and messed up my own blog name… Whoops.
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We love beets! Even the kids!
Ok, so I steam them until a knife slips through easily. let them cool. dice and add super thin sliced onions that I have soaking to get out the (pungent) factor, dump water 2 to 3 times, for onions! I mean super skinny sliced onions.
Toss beets with onions…Add a little olive oil, lemon and salt- they are amazing! Don’t be scared when your kid sees red in the toilet bowl! Super healthy and washes right through you! So many vitamins!
Stephanie Fig 🙂
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