Ball Blue Book Pickled Beets Food

PICKLED BEETS RECIPE

Steps:

• Trim off tops of beets, leaving 2 inches of stems and all roots. This will prevent the beets color from bleeding while processing.
• Wash well, rinse and drain.
• Sort for size, separating larger beets from the smaller ones.
• Fill a large saucepot about ½ full of water, bring to a low boil over medium-high heat.
• Add the larger beets first, let cook for approximately 15 minutes.
• Add the medium sized beets, let cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the small beets, let cook for 5 minutes.
• Drain the beets and DISCARD THE LIQUID.
• Let beets cool, cut off the roots and stems, slip off the skins.
• Slice beets into about ¼ inch slices.
• Peel and slice the onions into about ¼ inch slices.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the vinegar, salt, sugar and fresh water.
• Tie spices in cheesecloth and add to the vinegar solution. Bring liquid to a low boil.
• Add the beets and onions. Simmer 5 minutes.
• Remove the spice bag and discard.
• Fill sterilized hot jars with beets and onions, leaving ½ inch of headspace.
• Add hot vinegar solution, filling to within ½ inch of top of the jar.
• Remove any air bubbles and adjust headspace to ½ inch if needed.
• Wipe the rim tops of the jars with a clean damp cloth or paper towel.
• Add lids and bands, tighten finger tight.
• Place jars in water bath canner and process according to the proper times for your local altitude.

PICKLED BEETS (FOR CANNING)

Steps:

• In a large pot cook the unpeeled beets until fork-tender (do not overcook) cool and then remove the skins.
• Slice into about 1/4-inch thick or cut into cubes.
• Pack snuggly into the canning jars (be careful not to bruise).
• In a large saucepan combine the sugar, water, vinegar, ground cloves, allspice, cinnamon and whole cloves; bring to a boil and simmer for about 10 minutes (no sugar granules should remain).
• Quickly pour over the beets in the jars, leaving 3/4-inch headspace (the liquid should go no further than the shoulder of the jar!).
• Process in a boiling water bath for 12 minutes.
• Cool on a rack.