Sweet Beet Candy Food

EASY SWEET & SOUR BEETS

Steps:

• Place beets in a large saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 25-30 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool slightly. Peel and quarter beets; keep warm. , Meanwhile, in another large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt; stir in vinegar. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 1 minute or until thickened. Stir in marmalade and butter until melted. Reduce heat to low. Add beets; heat through.

GLAZED BEETS

Steps:

• Drain beets, reserving 1/3 cup juice. In a saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir in beet juice and vinegar; cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 2 minutes more. Add beets and butter; heat through.

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.

CANDIED BEET CHIPS FOR CHOCOLATE BEET CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Slice beets very thinly into rounds, preferably on a mandoline. Bring water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, stirring constantly until sugar dissolves. Add beets. Reduce heat, and simmer until slightly translucent, about 30 minutes.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer beets in a single layer to a rimmed baking sheet lined with a nonstick baking mat. Bake until dry and slightly firm, about 1 hour.