Craig Sandle: Rooting out the latest superfood for autumn

Blackberry, blueberry and even grapefruit have been flavours of the month. Now, it seems it's all about the underrated beetroot.

Offering a wealth of health and taste benefits, the humble and much maligned beetroot looks like it's set for a comeback.

But this is not about the jar of pickled beetroot that sits in the back of most people's fridges - this is gourmet beetroot cooking to satisfy even the pickiest of palettes.

And it's up there as the latest superfood too.

High in nitrates, which have been shown to dramatically reduce blood pressure, beetroot is a health powerhouse.Packed full of nutrients that aid liver function, it is great for detoxifying the body.

This potent vegetable is full of other health-promoting elements too, including magnesium, potassium and vitamin C.

And if all of this isn't enough to have you reaching for a beetroot next time you're doing the food shop, then here is the really good news. Beetroot is low in fat, calories and has a fairly low GI, making it an ideal food for those watching their waistline.

It's also great to work with in the kitchen. Warm mackerel and beetroot salad, creamy beetroot risotto, pan-fried fish with a beetroot salsa, roast duck breast with beetroot fondant are just some of the dishes brought to life with the sweet-flavoured vegetable.

Its flavour also makes for a wonderful sweet dish, especially when paired with chocolate. Adding beetroot to your cake mix is a novel way of getting one of your five a day.

This earthy root veg is delicious when roasted as it really enhances the subtle flavour and works beautifully in pickles and chutneys. Pairing with goats cheese or smoked salmon never fails to impress.

This most versatile of root veg is tasty as well as being a great health promoting food. Now there's no excuse not to try experimenting with some this weekend.

Craig Sandle is head chef of the Michelin starred Number One at The Balmoral, www.thebalmoralhotel.com, 0131-556 2414.