Raw Beet Salad with walnuts

Raw Beet Salad with Walnuts
Prep Time:  15 - 20 minutes

Beets are a root vegetable related to swiss chard. The pigment that gives beets their rich, purple-crimson color-betacyanin-is also a powerful cancer-fighting agent, which has been demonstrated in several studies. Beets' Betaine Helps Lessen Inflammation and are powerful anti-oxidants, and are a great source of minerals like folate, potassium, magnesium, and manganese.  While beets are delicious cooked this salad is all raw. Remember that you don't need to peel the skins of the root vegetables, but simply scrubbing them is enough - just make sure that you are buying organic.

Ingredients
4 cups beets grated
1 cup carrots grated
1/2 c raw walnuts
1 cup dried fruit ( currants, prunes)
1/4 chopped parsley
1 T flavored  vinegar, unseasoned rice vinegar, or lemon juice
1 tbsp Date Sugar (optional)


Directions
1. Lightly toast walnuts for 2 minutes
2. Wash and grate beets/carrots.  Using a food processor is faster, but I used a box grater. Wear gloves or wash your hands with some lemon juice since they will stain. Place in a bowl.
3. Add all of the other ingredients except walnuts and stir to mix.
4. I let this sit overnight in the refrigerator and added walnuts prior to serving to let the dried fruit loosen up and absorb some juices, but it's ready to eat as you make it.

References
About beets from whfoods.com