Introduction:
A tangy, vivid and flexible, pickled beet is a delicious accompaniment for any meal be it as part of the side dish, topping for salad or filling in sandwiches to bring out its strong taste and vibrant color that light up on any plate. It is simple; this recipe here will enable you make your own beet pickle at home and enjoy them all year round.
Ingredients:
– 1 pound beets, washed and trimmed
– 1 cup white vinegar
– 1 cup water
– 1/2 cup granulated sugar
– 1 teaspoon salt
– You can also add whole spices such as cloves, cinnamon or peppercorns for enhanced flavor.
Instructions:
1.Clean the beets by washing them thoroughly and cutting off their tops and roots.Preferably, peel if required but not necessary.
2.In a medium saucepan over medium heat mix together white vinegar, water, sugar, salt and whole spices if desired.
3.Stir frequently until the sugar dissolves fully then bring the mixture to boil over medium heat until both salt and sugar are completely dissolved.
4.Slice prepared beats uniformly depending on your preference; either cubes or slices would do best.
5.Be careful when adding sliced beats into boiling brine after it has completely dissolved.
6.Lower the heat to simmering point (low) and cook the beets in brine for around fifteen minutes or so until they become soft enough to pierce using a fork.
7. Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the pickled beets to cool down to room temperature.
8. Transfer, when cool, the pickled beets and brine into clean sterilized jars, ensuring that the beets are fully immersed in liquid.
9. Keep these shut and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before eating so that their flavors will marry with each other.
10. They serve well as a good accompaniment or topping on salads.
Hints for Success:
– Opt for firm beetroot, fresh-looking without any marks or soft spots for best results.
– To keep them fresh longer ensure your jars are sterilized properly
Health Benefits:
Pickled beets have low calories and fat content but high levels of fibres as well as vital nutrients such as iron, vitamins C and B1, and potassium. In addition they contain anti-oxidants plus some anti-inflammatory properties which make them a healthy part of your diet.
Nutritional Information: (Per serving)
– Calories: 50
– Total Fat: 0g
– Sodium: 200mg
– Total Carbohydrates: 12g
– Dietary Fiber: 2g
– Sugars: 10g
– Protein: 1g
Variations and Substitutions:
-add sliced onions or garlic cloves to the vinegar solution used in making the pickle so as to get more flavorful results
-use different types of vinegars like apple cider vinegar instead of regular ones like balsamic vinegar
– You can adjust the amount of sugar and salt as you wish.
– You can also add flakes of red pepper or finely chopped chili peppers, if you like a hotter taste.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. How Long Can Pickled Beets Stay in the Fridge?
If properly stored, homemade pickled beets can last up to 1-2 months in the fridge.
2. Can I use canned beets instead of fresh ones?
Yes, convenience comes with using canned beets but they do not have texture or taste as that of fresh one.
3. Is it possible to process pickled beet for longer shelf life?
Yes, you can put jars of pickled beet into boiling water bath canner for around 10-15 minutes to seal them for longer shelf life according to instructions given by “Proper Canning Procedures” (For Safety Only).