This post was nearly called ‘bloody beetroot’ as I was almost literally knee deep in the stuff. Obviously there are worse problems to have, but I was a little taken aback when Mr C and his dad went to the allotment and returned with this.
I emptied it all out onto the kitchen floor to ‘grade’ it by size. The very smallest were boiled and pickled as baby beet. The two middle sizes were boiled too and used for pickling. (I think I’m up to a total of 14 jars pickled so far, though I’ve given some away!) The kitchen suffered badly, with splashes of purple on many surfaces caused by my haphazard beetroot peeling. Technically they should pop out of their skins after boiling, but some needed more of a helping hand (knife!) than others.
Any poor unfortunate souls who have visited us over the holidays have also been pretty much forced to take beetroot and courgettes home with them too.
The largest beetroot were turned into my favourite thing of all-beetroot chutney! In case you fancy making your own, here’s a link to my recipe. I’ve adapted it slightly by varying the quantities of some ingredients based on what I had, but a little taste test told me it was ok!
Don’t the jars all look so pretty? There are 5 jars of chutney altogether, a long with the pickled beet. Note the large jars at the back which had previously held the pickling vinegar. A quick wash and sterilize in the oven sent them back into use!
We have a whole raised bed still full of beetroot at the allotment! Something tells me that I’m not done with beetroot yet… (Mr C has requested at least another batch of chutney so that’ll use a bit.)
If you have any other ways of preserving it feel free to share! I’ve had a few lovely cake recipes shared with me too which I might try and whip up.
Oh…Lucky you…Beets are so good for you. The one time I did raise some they were the best we had ever eaten. If you see someone snooping around it might be me. LOL
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Hehe, they are delicious even when they have just been boiled and not pickled!
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As a new allotment owner ending up to too much veg at the same time worries me a bit. Some good ideas here what to do with it!
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Thanks, I give a lot away when we get a glut. I’ve done my fair share of trades with it all too!
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Ooooh i wiah i was knee deep in beetroot. But alas my partner cant stand the stuff so no beetroot for me!
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Hehe! It’s lovely stuff!
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Beautiful! If I’d done that, my hands would be pink for weeks–
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It took a while for mine to return to their normal colour!
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Oh you are lucky to have homemade pickled beets- one of my favourite things!
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Thank you, I love a nice cheese and beetroot sandwich!
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Oh I’ve never had that combination! I’ll have to try it out. Any particular type of cheese work best?
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Cheddar is best!
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I have never grown beets! My mom always did and she pickled them also. I do remember liking them as a kid. Perhaps I will have to put some in the garden next year….and try that chutney recipe!
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My Nanny always grew them too and pickled them in a truly enormous jar!
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What a crop! I’ve never tried beetroot chutney but sounds good!
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Thanks, it is delicious when it’s matured nicely by Christmas time.
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What a great crop. Enjoy 🙂
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Thank you!
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For anyone reading: I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THE BEETROOT CHUTNEY!!
Mrs. Craft very kindly gifted me a jar of this magical stuff last year and we saved it in a cool, dark place until Christmas. IT’S BLOOMIN’ FANTASTIC! Great with cheese, and Mr. Cobs said it worked wonders for cold pork. But I can see it with other red meats, and probably even turkey and chicken … I just forgot to try it with those, and before I knew it, we’d eaten it all. It might work alongside some curries too.
Great post Mrs. C. 🙂 Sorry to hear about the bloody splashes.
LOVE the chutney with the floral lids. Very Cath Kidstonesque! 😀
Sending big love and a bucket of sandy squidges ~ Cobs. xxx
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So glad you enjoyed it! We might have sneakily started a jar of this year’s batch already 😁 x
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Oh you naughty girl.
Would I do the same in your situation? . . . erm… well… I… erm… actually … I probably would!
Ah who am I kiddin’? I’d have got the Ryvita, cheese, knife and a spoon and have got on with it!
😀 ~ Nom, nom, nom. ~ Cobs. xxx
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Hehe, quality control is an essential part of the chutney production process! x
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Brilliant your crop of Beetroot has been successful.. ours too.. Beetroot is So good for us.. I even have it in smoothies too… with apple juice.. Love it.. ❤
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Thanks, that sounds delicious. I burned out our blender last autumn making soup and haven’t replace it yet, maybe I ought to!
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You can get the single cheaper blenders from Curries.. I got one as part of my sisters Christmas present last year, As she loved beetroot.. She eats loads and continues to say they helped her beat Cancer.. ❤
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Thank you, Good tip. I’ll look out for one.
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I’ve only ever eaten beets pickled, but I love them that way!
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We tested some of ours, I do love pickled beet.
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I store my best unblemished beets in damp sand in the garage then eat them roasted right through the Autumn. Delicious.
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That’s a good idea, all of ours have gone but I think Mr C’s dad might still have more so I can give it a try.
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