beetroot

[glynthered]

please can anyone help?What is the best way to store beetroot.

[glynthered]

[Bodolph]

I've seen a recommendation for storing them in a clamp - the same as maincrop potatoes; but that is for lifting in October. I'd suggesting eating them!

[Doris_Pinks]

You can freeze them cooked, or make a few beetroot cakes and freeze those.
Pickling is another option.
But they are also lovely raw, grated in salads.
Mine have never made it to the storage stage, we love them too much! (though I am hoping this year..................................... :) )

[flowerlady]

Agree with you Doris, yummy stuff. :P

I also grate and the mix with grated carrot.  But do NOT pre-prepare this dish as it looks very odd if left to stand!!

Bottled is my choice to keep them, that way you can have fun with different flavoured vinegar, sweet, spicy, with chili, tarragon, oh the selection is endless. ;D

[Mrs Ava]

funny you should say about freezing.  Had a sort out in my freezer today and came across a bag of beetroot I froze as an experiment last autumn.  Have left it on top to get out after the weekend and see how if faired.

I can't stand it pickled, and boil it, roast it, or eat it raw.  YUM!

[Robert_Brenchley]

Only problem with clamps is that rats can get in. I wouldn't dare, I get problems with the evil things every winter.

[Piglottie]

Flowerlady - ears pricked up when saw your message re other options for pickling beetroot.  I love it this way but would like to know of variations instead of just plain pickling.  Do you have any recipes (sorry, know this is not really the right board  :-X ) or any links/books?  Thanks  :)

[Hot_Potato]

DP.....what exactly do you mean by beetroot cakes please?.....do you mean as in 'cakes i.e. fairy cakes' or is the word 'cakes' a general description for a mixture of ingredients,including the beetroot (like those bird seed/food cakes).....maybe this was a silly question.....

[Doris_Pinks]

Not a silly question at all HP!!   Cake as in a loaf cake!   Here is the link

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php/topic,3705.msg38493.html#msg38493
DP

[Hot_Potato]

thanks for that link DP - I now seem to remember reading that last year....I make a banana & sultana cake quite often - this would make a change & help use up some of the beetroot. Mind you only seem to have 3/4 of a row this year for some reason.

Took my d.i.l. & youngest son half a dozen of mine yesterday already cooked & peeled - knew if I didn't, she'd probably eventually throw them away as she'd not find the time or inclination to cook them!! :(....they do like them tho....

[flowerlady]

Piglottie,

will send you a pm if I can with more home recipe info.

My essential 'bible'  for home made stuff is "Home Preserving of Fruit and Vegetable" brought out by the Min of Ag, Fish & Food. (HMSO)

once you get the hang of things, then you can start to adapt the content to your own taste.

Have just made some amazing gooseberry chutney - served with white stilton and rocket in a multi-grain bread is scrummy!! ;D ;D

[Doris_Pinks]

Oh Oh,  Flowerlady, can you post some on recipes4all, or on the recipe site here, please!  We are all always looking for new ways to pickle n store!;D  DP

Oh and the other storage option of course is wine! ;)

[Piglottie]

Flowerlady - you're a star!  Any info greatly appreciated.   :)

[lorna]

Beetroot!! I love them. When we had greengrocery shops in London I would get up at 4.30am when the husband went to London markets and cook a large amount (boiled) ready for first customers. On busy days Thurs Fri Sat I had to cook a second lot during the day to keep customers happy!! I always used a thin knitting needle to test when done... not too early of course otherwise they would bleed. Lorna

[glynthered]

Thank you all for your help and advice. I am just starting to appreciate what a fantastic site this is and what nice people read the mail. Happy watering. ;D

[glynthered]

Flowerlady. Please do you have any more info on your bible. By min ag and fish now DEFRA. I cant find it on the hmso website or  DEFRA's  ???

[tim]

Agree about the 'bible'. That's the one I use. Very accurate on procedures.

[flowerlady]

Will do recipes tonight,  in the correct section  I'm supposed to be working!!

Also I will try to find a source for bible.  Try libraries?
first published 1929!!!!!!!! ;D   No I'm not that old!

Bought my copy in 1979 ;)

[sarahr]

Piglottie,

will send you a pm if I can with more home recipe info.

My essential 'bible'  for home made stuff is "Home Preserving of Fruit and Vegetable" brought out by the Min of Ag, Fish & Food. (HMSO)

You can get copies of this on Amazon or you might want to try the Stationary Office direct.

[flowerlady]

Sarah,  great to know other copies are available, mine is looking tatty!

Off the the recipe section - see "beetroot con't / vinegars."

Have also added a "Food Combinatoions" thread there - please don't let me die out there!! ;D

off to dig now, back later ..

hey ho, hey ho, it's off to dig I go  ..