A Cautionary Note

I always use disposable surgical gloves when working with dark red beets to keep my fingers from being stained red. Look for gloves at a pharmacy or in a supermarket, stocked with the bandages and other first-aid supplies. Beets will stain countertops and cutting boards, so work with care and clean up quickly, using a diluted bleach solution to wash away the water-soluble beet juices.