Beet Tzatziki

Why This Recipe Works

Tzatziki is a traditional Greek sauce made from strained yogurt and cucumber. It is endlessly versatile; it is as delicious eaten as a dip with raw vegetables or pita bread as it is dolloped on a veggie burger or spread on a sandwich. To make our own classic version, we started by shredding a cucumber and beets on a coarse grater, salting it, and letting it drain to keep its excess liquid from watering down the dip. Then we simply stirred the beets and cucumber into rich, creamy Greek yogurt flavored with fresh mint and a little garlic. The hardest part was waiting until the dip was chilled to dig in. Using Greek yogurt here is key; do not substitute regular plain yogurt or the sauce will be very watery. Serve with raw vegetables, pita wedges, or pita chips.