Pressure Canning Pickled Beets Food

PICKLED BEETS

Steps:

• Cut off beet greens if still attached, leaving a small bit (2 to 3 cm / 1 inch), as well as any roots.
• Wash and scrub well.
• Boil the unpeeled beet roots just until they are tender. This should be about 20 to 25 minutes in boiling water (depending on size) or try pressure cooker (see Pressure Cooker section below). Don't overcook. You won't want mushy pickled beets.
• Meanwhile make up and set aside your spice bag. (See NOTES section below.)
• Let beets cool till you can handle them safely, then peel, then cut into slices about 1 cm (1/4 inch) thick.
• Mix vinegar, water and sugar in a large pot. Add spice bag. Bring to a boil. Add onion (if using) and beets, bring back to a boil then lower to a simmer for 5 minutes.
• Remove and discard spice bag.
• Use a slotted spoon to divvy the onion (if using) and beet out amongst the jars.
• To each half-litre (1 US pint) jar add: 1/2 teaspoon salt and optionally, 1/4 teaspoon Pickle Crisp. (Double those quantities for litre / US quart jars).
• Top jars up with pickling liquid.
• Leave 2 cm (1/2 inch) headspace for either size of jar.
• Debubble, top up with more liquid as required to retain headspace.
• Wipe jar rims.
• Put lids on.
• Process either size jar in a water bath or steam canner for 30 minutes; increase time as needed for your altitude.
• Best after at least a month of jar time.

SWEET PICKLED BEETS CANNING

Steps:

• Cut the leaves off the beet about 3" off the beet to prevent the beet from bleeding out. (Reserve them for cooked greens).
• Separate into sizes so little ones don't get over cooked and big ones are not under cooked.
• I like 3 kettles they boil faster that way.
• No salt in the water.
• Boil beets till tender, can be checked using a fork (like a potato).
• Drain and discard cooking liquid; let beets cool so they can be easily peeled.
• Cut beets into 1/2" pieces, leaving very small beets whole.
• Combine brine ingredients in a kettle.
• Bring brine to a boil.
• Simmer 10 minutes.
• You may need to make more brine for this amount of beets.
• Wash pint jars and covers.
• Fill jars within 1/2" from the top with beets.
• Fill jar with boiling brine to 1/2" from top.
• Place lids, adjust rings fingertip-tight and process in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes at up to 1000 feet in elevation.
• Cool processed jars undisturbed for 24 hours on a cloth-protected counter.
• Any leftover brine can be stored in the refrigerator till the next time you can.

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.

PICKLED BEETS

Steps:

• Place beets in a large stockpot with water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes depending on the size of the beets. If beets are large, cut them into quarters. Drain, reserving 2 cups of the beet water, cool and peel.
• Sterilize jars and lids by immersing in boiling water for at least 10 minutes. Fill each jar with beets and add several whole cloves to each jar.
• In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, beet water, vinegar, and pickling salt. Bring to a rapid boil. Pour the hot brine over the beets in the jars, and seal lids.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.