The Colorful Vegetable You Need For A Low-Carb Pizza Crust Alternative

I have tried many pizza crusts constructed from certain vegetables — cauliflower, zucchini, yellow squash — and as a pizza snob I can honestly say that vegetable pizza crusts are a delicious option. (You can even use broccoli as an alternative pizza crust.) One vegetable pizza crust you have to try is made using highly nutritious, sweet red beets. This beet pizza crust is just as satisfying as the other vegetable versions I have mentioned — if not more so — and I can confidently say it will be one of the most surprisingly tasty things you will sink your teeth into. It'll also be among the most eye-catching too. 

If you're not familiar with this root vegetable, beets (otherwise known as beetroot) are known for their striking red or golden color. They're packed with phytonutrients, vitamin C, and folate. Since vegetables are naturally low in carbohydrates, it should come as no surprise that beet pizza crusts contain around 40% fewer carbohydrates than typical, flour-based pizza crusts do. While a great, low-carb alternative, beet pizza crusts should be enjoyed by people who aren't watching their carbohydrate intake as well; beet pizza crusts are worth trying for their wonderful flavor and really cool color. Given that beets can be used to make wonderful red velvet cakes, it's no wonder they make an exceptional pizza crust.

Now, if you've never tried a vegetable pizza crust before, you've probably been thinking to yourself, "how could a vegetable even come close to resembling the taste and texture of dough?" It's quite amazing how this can be achieved with only a few steps and ingredients being required. The red beets are first cooked until they become soft enough to be puréed, then they're mixed with seasonings and binding ingredients like eggs, a little flour, and almond meal. The beet crust is then formed into a circle and partially baked in the oven to allow the crust's texture to firm up a bit. Once firm, toppings are added and the pizza is put back into the oven for everything to finish baking together.

To complement the beet pizza crust, you'll want to choose a sauce that won't overpower its subtly sweet, earthy flavor. A traditional tomato sauce may be too robust. Instead, opt for something like an infused olive oil (which you can learn to make here). As for cheese, the creamier the better. Goat's cheese or ricotta are both great options as you can easily spread them across the entire crust. The slight tang of either provides a wonderful contrast to the crust's flavor. For toppings, cooked cubed chicken goes nicely as do vegetables like arugula, green onions, or even sliced mushrooms.