Beetroot Dilemma!

[Anisemary]

Hi, I have done really well with my beetroot crop this year, but I now have three rows at the size I like to eat them (golfball) all ready at once. I don't really want to pickle them or let them grow on to become woody, does anyone know if they would store for a few weeks if I dug them up, and if so, what is the best storage method? In the past they have started going soft after 3 or 4 days when I have kept them in  the veg rack.

[Anisemary]

[queenbee]

They shouldn't go woody until next spring. I live in the North and I leave mine in the ground. I too do not pickle them as I love my beetroot just boiled. Leave them where they are and use when you want them. They can be frozen but are a little bit watery.

[Fork]

Read somewhere...may have been on here!....thats you can store your beets covered in damp sand.

[saddad]

Read somewhere...may have been on here!....thats you can store your beets covered in damp sand.

or used compost... anything that prevets the roots drying out in the atmosphere... the layer of compost/sand stops that... not too damp though!  :)

[Alex133]

Does that work for any root veg and how long will they keep before getting manky?

[saddad]

Any that would go soft when left in the open...
carrots, parsnips, JA's... the roots are meant to be in the soil and so cannot regulate the loss of moisture into the air.
They will keep for months if kept frost free in a good shed and until the Spring warmth breaks their dormancy and they try to "grow" again...  :)

[shirlton]

We store all of our root veg in sand and they are fine.Sometimes you might get a few hairs on the carrots but they are still ok.

[Alex133]

Brilliant - I was particularly worried about keeping my lovingly grown swede - just have to get some sand now.

[Susiebelle]

I tried storing Fennel last year in damp peat and it all rooted very quickly, I obviously had the peat too damp. 
So if I try with sand this year how damp does it have to be and do I just ensure sand damp before putting veg in then cover to stop moisture loss and not bother damping sand down again?

[OllieC]

Eat them! I made this last night for guests and it went down a treat. It's heavy on the beetroots - 1kg in this recipe & it feeds 6 or 4 without a starter, I'd say.

http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/639223

[cambourne7]

spicy/pickled beetroot sounds yum :)

I have some in the garden which i am going to be using to make

http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/tv-show/cook-yourself-thin-recipes/beetroot-chocolate-fudge-cake-recipe

[gavinjconway]

Here it is Janet...

Conway's Spiced Beetroot

1 ½ kg young beetroot
500 ml  / 2 cups water and juice – kept over from the boiling pot
500 ml  / 2 cups vinegar
400 g / 2 cups sugar
2 ml salt
2 ml ground cloves
2 ml cinnamon
2 ml ground ginger
1 ml black pepper

Boil beetroot till tender. Remove skin, cut into small squares or slices. Keep 2 cups water and juices.

Put rest of ingredients into enamel pot and bring to the boil. Put in beetroot and simmer / boil slowly for 20 minutes.

Bottle into hot sterilized jars and seal.

Refrigerate once opened..

[grannyjanny]

Thanks Gavin ;D.

[Anisemary]

Thanks to all for your suggestions, looks like eat some/store some, and maybe leave a few in the ground to see how long they keep without going woody.

[non-stick]

Eat them! I made this last night for guests and it went down a treat. It's heavy on the beetroots - 1kg in this recipe & it feeds 6 or 4 without a starter, I'd say.

http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/639223

We make a variation on that ourselves - it's yummy although the kitchen always looks like an abattoir afterwards

[cambourne7]

Hi, I have done really well with my beetroot crop this year, but I now have three rows at the size I like to eat them (golfball) all ready at once. I don't really want to pickle them or let them grow on to become woody, does anyone know if they would store for a few weeks if I dug them up, and if so, what is the best storage method? In the past they have started going soft after 3 or 4 days when I have kept them in  the veg rack.

Its called a clamp this might help you
http://www.1900s.org.uk/1900s-storing-root-veg.htm
and here is a video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVqMKrr9F0w&playnext=1&list=PL0995BC3A6619E667

[Emagggie]

Or try this;
Soup:

1 onion

1 garlic clove

8oz grated beetroot

8oz tomatoes

½ pt tomato juice

1 tbsp tom puree

1tsp ground cumin

½ tsp cinnamon

1pt veg stock

4 tbsp yoghurt to serve



Cook onion garlic and beetroot for 10mins

Add toms puree juice spices and stock – simmer for 15 mins

Puree and serve with yoghurt



This serves 4 but grating the beetroot gives the murder scene!! So I make lots more and freeze to limit the damage!