Beta vulgaris
Minimum seed count: 100
 
This Italian heirloom from, you guessed it, the town of Chioggia, is known for its beautiful alternating red and white concentric rings.  this is a fast-growing beet with a mild, sweet flavor.  (Beets become sweeter after the first frost.)  The greens of Chioggia are also mild and delicious.  The pretty stripes fade the longer it's cooked, so the best way to show off this beauty is raw and thinly sliced for salads, appetizers, and even tacos!
50-60 days