Tired of Beets Yet?

Never!  So I decided to pickle them.  Conclusion? Not so much.  I am not a pickled beet hater, I am a lover, just not of my very own pickled beets. 

I boiled the beets skin on, for about 45 minutes.  They were a little overcooked and I think they could even be undercooked so that they are just a tad crunchy when pickled.  Rub them a bit, and they take their skins right off (sexy!).  After they got naked, they were sliced, and added to a mixture of water, vinegar, sugar, salt, clove and allspice berry mixture (brought to a boil then cooled). The beets were joined by some sliced onions.  Three of those ingredients were ALL wrong.  Can you guess? Yep, the sugar, clove and allspice gave them that Christmasy almost fruit-cake flavor, too sweet and spicey.  Not for me, thanks.  Next time, I'm going with straight pickling spices and we'll see what happens.  There is no denying, however, that they are beautiful...And Chris ate them anyway.

Comments

[Sam]

how beet-coloured is the skin under your fingernails?

[Arlen]

Onions was my first guess as to the wrong ingredient. Though I've never made them, I'll pass on a recipe for pickled beets. Beets, vinegar, beet juice (from when you boil them), sugar, salt and pickling spice. I'm envious. I find it difficult-nay impossible to get fresh beets where I live in Japan. Enjoy!

[rae]

that's so funny 'cause i've been obsessing over pickling my own beets for the first time this year since i had some a friend made last year, and i swear, they were the BEST pickled beets i've ever had. his secret? well, i don't know 'cause he's been very reticient in giving out any details except that he put a few slices of meyer lemons in the jar. and i'll tell 'ya, they really add that something extra special, as meyer lemons tend to do. maybe in a few weeks i'll take the plunge and try my own batch - i'll post results on my blog (www.bunnyfoot.blogspot.com) so come check it out when it's up.