This Roasted Beet with Buckwheat salad has it all. Sweet beets, tangy pickles, nutty buckwheat and salty feta. Delicious combination of flavors and textures.
Wash and trim the beets, then wrap them individually in foil. Rub them with a little olive oil for easier peeling later.
Place the wrapped beets on a baking sheet and roast for 40–50 minutes, or until fork-tender.
Let them cool slightly, then rub off the skins with a paper towel or your hands (don’t forget to wear gloves). Dice into bite-sized pieces.
Dice the pickles, thinly slice the onion, and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil.
Add one cup toasted buckwheat groats (kasza gryczana) and a pinch of salt.
Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 10–12 minutes, or until tender but not mushy.
Drain any excess water, fluff with a fork, and let it cool slightly.
On a small skillet dry roast the walnuts.
In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the salad ingredients.
Pour the horseradish dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything. You can also serve it on the side.
Crumble feta cheese over the top.
Sprinkle with toasted walnuts or sunflower seeds.
Serve warm or at room temperature for the best flavor.
Notes
Roast Beets for maximum flavor - roasting the beets with the skins on helps lock in moisture and sweetness.Use gloves - while peeling the beets.Don't overcook the buckwheat - cook until tender but still holding its shape.Balance the dressing to taste - each batch of horseradish can vary in intensity. Start with one teaspoon and add more if you like a bigger kick.