Beetroot is a misunderstood vegetable. It has so much more to offer than a sad, pickled existence, forgotten at the back of the cupboard.

Young beetroot are delicious raw – no really – and with a few more ingredients make a colourful, healthy salad.

• 1 raw beetroot
• 1 large raw carrot
• 1 lime
• bunch of mint, chopped
• salt and pepper
• olive oil (optional)

Grate the beetroot and carrot together into a bowl. Add the grated zest and juice of the lime, the chopped mint and a pinch of salt and pepper. Allow to rest for half an hour or so for the lime and mint to get to work.

You can add a glug of olive oil if you like – it gives it a nice gloss – but if you want a really low-fat, piously healthy salad leave it out!