Tangy Beet Jam Food

BEET JAM

Steps:

• Wash and peel the beets.
• Put them through a meat grinder or grate them.
• In a pot, barely cover them with water and cook them slowly until they are tender.
• Add the sugar, the ginger, the lemon juice and rind.
• Cook until thick and clear, which will take about an hour.
• Add the chopped nuts.
• Makes about 3 quarts.

TANGY BEET JAM

Steps:

• Combine beet juice, lemon juice (I used Real Lemon and Sure-Jell).
• Heat on high until boiling, stirring constantly.
• Stir in sugar, Jell-O and cinnamon.
• Boil for 7 minutes, stirring constantly. Don't leave it or it will boil over (I know).
• Put in hot sterile jars and seal.

ROASTED BEET JAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Peel beets and cut into wedges. Place in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan; drizzle with oil and toss to coat. Roast 50-60 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly., Meanwhile, rinse two 1-cup plastic containers and lids with boiling water. Dry thoroughly. Cut a thin slice from the top and bottom of the lemon; stand lemon upright on a cutting board. With a knife, cut off peel and outer membrane from lemon. Cut in half. Thinly slice half of lemon and remove seeds (save remaining half for another use). Place cinnamon and cloves on a double thickness of cheesecloth. Gather corners of cloth to enclose seasonings; tie securely with string., Place beets in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a large saucepan. Add sugars, maple syrup, ginger, salt, sliced lemon and spice bag; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 1 to 1-1/4 hours or until thickened. Remove from heat; discard spice bag. Cool slightly., Fill containers to within 1/2 in. of tops. Wipe off top edges of containers; immediately cover with lids. Refrigerate up to 1 week or freeze up to 12 months. Thaw frozen jam in refrigerator before serving.

BEET RHUBARB JAM

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the rhubarb with 1 cup of sugar.
• Mix well and let sit for about 30 minutes until some juice forms in the bottom of the bowl.
• In the meantime, cook the beets with the remaining sugar and water in a medium pot over medium high until tender, about 45 minutes; stir occasionally.
• Add rhubarb mixture including juices and stir.
• Cook, while stirring, 18 to 20 minutes until rhubarb are very soft.
• Process the beets through a potato ricer or large strainer and return to the pot.
• Taste for sweetness and add sugar, if needed; cook a few minutes to dissolve any added sugar (the jam's flavor will mellow as it cools).
• While jam is still hot, ladle into hot sterilzed canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch head space at the top; remove air pockets by running a long, non-metallic utensil or skewer between the jar and the jam.
• Top with new, clean lids, close tightly and let cool to room temperature.
• Once cooled, test the seal; if the lid springs up when you press your finger into the center - it is not sealed.
• Process any that have not sealed for 15 minutes in a hot water bath, then test the seal again.
• NOTE: To sterilize jars, fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat until barely bubbling. Immerse three 8 ounce jars and leave there while you are cooking the jam. Place lids and rings in a small saucepan covered with hot water.

BEET JELLY

Steps:

• Peel beets and simmer in water for 30 minutes.
• When beets are tender strain off liquid measuring 4 cups of beet juice.
• Pour into a large pot.
• Stir in lemon juice and pectin.
• Bring to a full, rolling boil over high heat.
• Stir in sugar all at once and return to a full, rolling boil and boil for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat and ladle into clean hot stearilized jars leaving 0.125 inch head space and seal.
• I process any jelly for 5 minutes in a boiling water bath even though the recipes don't call for it.