Ruby Queen beets, a popular variety of beetroot known for their deep red color and sweet flavor, are a fantastic addition to any home garden. But what do you do when you have a bumper crop and can’t eat them all at once? The answer lies in proper storage and preservation. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process step by step.
Understanding Ruby Queen Beets
Before we delve into the specifics of storage and preservation, it’s important to understand a bit more about Ruby Queen beets. This variety of beetroot is known for its round shape, smooth skin, and deep red color. They’re also noted for their sweet flavor, which makes them a favorite among beet enthusiasts.
According to the USDA, Ruby Queen beets are rich in essential nutrients like fiber, vitamin C, and potassium. They’re also low in calories, making them a healthy choice for any diet.
Harvesting Ruby Queen Beets
Proper storage and preservation of Ruby Queen beets begins with the harvesting process. Harvesting at the right time ensures that your beets are at their peak in terms of flavor and nutritional content.
The Purdue University Extension recommends harvesting beets when they are between 1.5 and 3 inches in diameter. At this size, they are tender and sweet, perfect for eating fresh or preserving for later use.
Steps to Harvest Ruby Queen Beets
- Check the size of the beets. They should be between 1.5 and 3 inches in diameter.
- Gently loosen the soil around the beet with a garden fork or trowel.
- Grasp the beet greens close to the root and pull gently. The beet should come out of the ground easily.
- Brush off any excess soil, but avoid washing the beets until you’re ready to use them. Washing can lead to quicker spoilage.
Storing Ruby Queen Beets
Once you’ve harvested your Ruby Queen beets, it’s time to store them. Proper storage can help your beets last for several months, allowing you to enjoy their sweet flavor long after the growing season has ended.
The National Center for Home Food Preservation recommends storing beets in a cool, humid environment. A root cellar is ideal, but a refrigerator can also work well.
Steps to Store Ruby Queen Beets
- Remove the beet greens, leaving about 1 inch of stem attached to the beet. This helps prevent the beets from bleeding during storage.
- Place the beets in a plastic bag or container. If using a bag, make sure it has holes to allow for air circulation.
- Store the beets in a cool, humid environment. The temperature should be between 32 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity should be around 95%.
- Check the beets regularly for signs of spoilage, such as soft spots or a foul smell. Remove any spoiled beets immediately to prevent the spoilage from spreading.
Preserving Ruby Queen Beets
If you have a large crop of Ruby Queen beets, you might want to consider preserving some of them. Preserving allows you to enjoy your beets year-round, and it can also be a fun and rewarding process.
There are several methods of preserving beets, including canning, pickling, and freezing. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you’ll want to choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.
Canning Ruby Queen Beets
Canning is a popular method of preserving beets. It involves heating the beets in a canning jar to kill any bacteria, yeasts, or molds that could cause the food to spoil. The heat also drives out the air in the jar, creating a vacuum seal that keeps the food fresh.
The National Center for Home Food Preservation provides detailed instructions for canning beets. Here’s a simplified version of their process:
- Wash and peel the beets, then cook them until they’re tender.
- Pack the cooked beets into hot canning jars, leaving 1 inch of headspace.
- Fill the jars with boiling water, again leaving 1 inch of headspace.
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth, then apply the lids and screw bands.
- Process the jars in a pressure canner, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Pickling Ruby Queen Beets
Pickling is another great way to preserve Ruby Queen beets. This process involves soaking the beets in a vinegar-based brine, which gives them a tangy flavor and helps prevent spoilage.
The Ball Fresh Preserving website offers a simple recipe for pickled beets. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Wash and cook the beets, then peel them and cut them into slices or chunks.
- Prepare a brine by combining vinegar, sugar, and pickling spices in a saucepan and bringing it to a boil.
- Pack the beets into hot canning jars, then pour the hot brine over them, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace.
- Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth, then apply the lids and screw bands.
- Process the jars in a boiling water canner, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Freezing Ruby Queen Beets
Freezing is perhaps the easiest method of preserving beets. It involves blanching the beets to kill any bacteria and enzymes, then freezing them in airtight containers.
The National Center for Home Food Preservation provides the following instructions for freezing beets:
- Wash and cook the beets until they’re tender. The cooking time will depend on the size of the beets.
- Cool the cooked beets quickly in ice water, then peel them and cut them into slices or cubes.
- Blanch the beet slices or cubes in boiling water for 2 minutes, then cool them quickly in ice water.
- Drain the blanched beets, then pack them into freezer containers, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace.
- Seal the containers and freeze the beets. They should keep for up to 1 year.
Conclusion
Storing and preserving Ruby Queen beets can seem like a daunting task, but with a little knowledge and preparation, it’s actually quite simple. Whether you choose to store your beets in a root cellar or refrigerator, or preserve them by canning, pickling, or freezing, you’ll be able to enjoy their sweet flavor long after the growing season has ended.
So don’t let your bumper crop of Ruby Queen beets go to waste. With these storage and preservation methods, you can savor the fruits of your labor all year round.
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