Beetroot, Date and Orange Preserve:
300ml (1/2 pint) cider vinegar
200g (7oz) granulated sugar
250g(12oz) raw beetrotos
250g(12oz) eating apples
225g(8oz) red onions finely chopped
1 garlic clove crushed and chopped
2 oranges finely grated
1 teaspoon of ground allspice
1 teaspoon of salt
175g(6oz) chopped dried dates
Put vinegar and sugar in saucepan, over low heat for about 10 mins sugar should be dissolved. In the meantime, peel and chop beetroot into 1cm (1/2 inch) pieces, and do the same with the apples, (I tend to quarter them and take out the core before I do the choppy bit). Then once you have done this put the beetroot, apple, onions, garlic, allspice and salt, give a good stir, bring to the boil, reduce to a good rolling boil for a good hour, stirring to make sure it doesn't stick. After an hour add the dates and continue at the rolling boil for another half an hour. Test on saucer to see if it sets and if it does then jar up in hot sterilised jars..
They say it's best to wait a month before eating and will last up to a year. ;D