roasted roots

This post is inspired by: one part depression for the end of summer, one part lament over the dwindling produce in our garden... (We do have some transplanted beets still growing, but only two carrots remain uneaten; the basil is still going but I think I almost killed it pinching some leaves off with my fingernails last week; the tomatoes we just weren't able to keep up with and wasted a bunch; the brussels sprouts are still maturing and although one stalk is twice the size of the others I'm hoping they'll all come along and it'll be a merry christmas, ribbon-tied sprout stalks for all!) ... oh, and one part a delicious non-recipe that's scrumptious for summer or fall.

This is what we've been eating, on nights when it's not basil pesto, at least once a week since the beets and carrots came in.  I call it roasted roots but often include green beans/kale/chicken as well.

Here are my directions...

-- Preheat your oven to 350 or 400 degrees or somewhere in there, depending on how hungry everyone is.
-- Wash and scrub your veggies til they're nice and clean.
-- Chop your carrots into thin slices and toss them onto a baking sheet or casserole dish.
-- Peel your beets, then chop into thin slices and add to the carrots.
-- Do up any other veggies you have (take the ends off green beans and chop in half, rip kale into bite sized pieces) and add them to the pan.
-- Chop up a handful of fresh basil and add that too.
-- Cut up your raw meat, if you want this to be a whole meal rather than a side dish, into chunks and toss those on the pan with the veggies.
-- Drizzle some olive oil and balsamic vinegar on top; Sprinkle on some salt, pepper, and rosemary (or whatever other herbs you like); Stir it all up.
-- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, give or take, for nice crunchy veggies and cooked meat.

(We also call this dish pink chicken because the beet juice turns the chicken a lovely bright pink.  Which, by the way, does not make my pink-loving son want to eat it.  No matter how many times I serve beets, the boys will not eat them.  About carrots they are completely fickle; one day they love carrots and the next day they hate carrots and always have.)