pickling beetroot

Can anyone tell me the best way to preserve the beetroot we have grown.In the past we have cooked it until it is soft and the skins can be removed easily,then when they are cooled we usually slice them, put them into steralised glass jars,before covering them with malt vinegar.
We have found though that after a time the beetroot loses it's colour and doesn't look nice,so we tend to throw it away.
Someone told me to add sugar to the jars after filling with vinegar, but we are not sure how much sugar to use or that we are using the right sort of vinegar.
Also how long should the beetroot last for anyway once pickled...Thanks

Kandy

 

Hi Kandy . Slice beetroot while it is hot & put into jars with the hot vinegar.Try white vinegar with sugar added ,about 2ozs sugar to a pint of vinegar.Will store for 4-6mths.

 

Thanks for that gogs.Crumbs I had better rush off to get some white vinegar and didn't realise to use it hot. We are in the process of letting the beetroot cool down :eek: :eek:

We bought some new jars when we were in Stratford on Wednesday from the Lakeland shop, so that everything would be ready.

Kandy

 

My friend also freezes beetroot and serves it a lot roasted - VERY NICE!

 

Hi Kandy, You could always try storing the unwashed beets in dry sand. keep them in a frost free shed, and in the dark. They will keep like this for some time. We've had a boiling of christmas beetroot that didn't taste of vinegar!

Big T

 

Hi Big T.Thanks for your advice,we will try the sand idea.
I don't have to worry about the taste of vinegar as I don't eat them myself.

I got put off of them for life when the teachers at school tried to force them down me at school dinners

Kandy