Preserving Beetroot

kathleenl

Has anyone got any recipe for preserving beetroot? I have two drills of fairly big size beets and i would love to jar them and have them for the winter and spring.

Dizzyblonde

I grow my own beetroot too and I use it to make chutney. Here's the recipe I use:

3 Ibs Beetroot
1 Large Onion
1 Large Cooking Apple
12ozs Sugar
2tspns Ginger
Level tspn Salt
1 Pint Vinegar

Method:
Cook Beetroot and dice into small pieces
Peel and dice onions
Peel and dice Apple
Put into large pan and add sugar, salt, ginger and vinegar.
Bring to the boil and simmer, uncovered, until ingredients are soft.
I sometimes thicken it with cornflour mixed with water if it's a bit thin.
Fill jars and label.
Tasty on meat sandwiches or added to salads.

You could also pickle the beetroot, there will be lots of recipes on the web.

kathleenl

Hi Dizzyblond.
Thanks for your reply, but i am no good with spices. I was hoping for a recipe without spices or other veg. I am trying to get them in the same way that you would find them in the shop.

Dizzyblonde

As far as I know, all you have to do is to boil the beetroot until tender, peel and slice them and put them into sterilised jars. Then you cover them with boiling vinegar. You can add a little sugar if you like.
You can use unboiled vinegar but it won't last as long.

kathleenl

What vinegar is best? Cider vinegar, Malt Vinegar, White wine vinegar etc... and how much sugar would you use?
This is my first time preserving beetroot and i don't want to mess it up. I would love to be able to open a jar next January or February and say i bottled these last October and they are still lovely.:)

Dizzyblonde

I've never done it myself, so I think your best bet would be to google until you find a recipe that you like.

Laurenisme

Hi Guys,

I don't mean to butt in on your posts but I wonder could I ask a couple of questions about pickling/preserving beetroot as I have never done it before.

I came across some chilli beetroot in tesco's and they are really tasty but quiet expensive. So I though I might be able to do it myself?!

I did come across this recipe, so I wonder would putting a half a chilli in the jar with the beetroot come out the same way they do it in tesco. They are not that spicy but just a nice hint of chilli.

I bought some cooked (sealed) beetroot as I couldn't find any fresh. Do you think if i was to put the cooked beetroot back into the pot with the chili to heat (I would assume you would need to do this to make sure it's sterile) and have the jars sterilized. Then put the beetroot and chili in the jars to keep.

Do i need to add vinegar?
Do you think this would work with pre cooked beetroot or do i need to buy it fresh instead?
And will washed ordinary jars work or should i get some killnear jars?

Thanks for your help, and sorry for butting in.


Lauren

sdp

Hi kathleen, for shop bought taste, but better its malt vinegar, salt and sugar,

1kg beetroot
220g sugar
1litre malt vinegar, ( or white distilled,not as strong tasting)
2 tablespoon salt

trim beetroot leaving 3cm attached, wash carefully,
add beetroot to large pan of cold water
boil 45 min or untill tender
reserve 125ml of cooking liquid
rub skin off beetroot, quarter, or if small leave whole, then place in hot sterllised jars,
combine reserved cooking liquid,sugar salt and vinegar in large pan,
stir over heat, without boiling, unitll sugar is dissolved,
bring to boil,
pour liquid over beetroot,
seal while hot,
should make about 2 litres,

hi Lauren,
you could try same, but use cider vinegar, 1 small cinamon stick, 8 black peppercorns 4 small dried chilles, 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds,
leave out salt,
add these to pan when with reserved cooking liquid,
i've only used fresh beetroot,so not sure how cooked would work.
make sure you sterillise jars, ordinary metal lids are not suitable as the acid content of the preserve will corrode the lids, any lined or plastic screw top lids will give a gd seal
good luck with it,

kathleenl

Hi Sdp.
Thanks a million for the recipe. I am looking forward to putting it to use this year. The goat got at my last batch so that was a failure, this time i grew them in raised beds with cloche netting (chicken wire). They are growing lovely and with no weeds to look out for i am delighted. I am going to try to jar up two lots.. one ordinary and i am going to use the recipe you gave Lauren too.. (sorry Lauren.. that's what happens when you hop on a topic);)

Will let you know how they turn out later in the year.. also thanks to Dizzyblonde i tried the beet chutney.. its gorgeous.. brilliant with cold chicken or cooked honey glazed ham, i havent tried it with anything else yet..