Beetroot: preparation with the work surface in mind

Useful to know

When cutting beets, predict that the inside can color the board, countertop, and hands. This is a specific warning in the university manual for the product. Prepare a suitable board and do not leave the cut pieces straight on a bright countertop. [1]

Pick hard, smooth heads with no soft spots. Before use, rinse under running water and scrub with a vegetable brush. If there are leaves, separate them from the root before storage. The university recommends that the roots should not be washed in advance for harvesting, because moisture accelerates spoilage. [1]

It is a practical order to first prepare the remaining products for the dish, then process the beets in the separated place and immediately clean the used accessories. It's a proposal of organization, not a tried-and-true method of removing every stain.

The color of the product is not sufficient information about its condition. Evaluate the hardness and surface as well, instead of choosing only the darkest head.