SWEET BEETROOT PICKLE

[Ann]

I have just made our favourite sweet beetroot pickle which I make every year and wondered if you would like to try it, its so easy ...... Makes about 6lb.

3lb cooked beetroot diced in pieces as big as you like (weigh after skinning)
1lb peeled and cored Bramleys apples, cut in pieces
1lb onions diced
1lb granulated sugar
1 pint malt vinegar

Cook the onions in a little of the vinegar until soft. Add the sugar, apples and beetroot and rest of the vinegar. Bring to the boil stirring regularly. Turn heat down and simmer for 45 mins until mixture thickens (still stir occasionally)

Put about 6 jam jars in very hot water in washing up bowl for 5 minutes so they don't crack when hot mixture is added. Add pickle while still hot - but just off the boil. Replace lids and half tighten, when nearly cold, tighten lids well. You can keep this pickle for several months (it doesn't last that long in my house!) Fantastic with jacket potatoes, pizza and cold meats.

[Ann]

Sorry meant to put this in Food and drink, but never mind, just let me know if you fancy trying it, or maybe you already make it?

[marval]

That sounds lovely Ann, I really like beetroot.

[Maydup]

If I was your friend I'd just love a jar of that for Christmas!

[Ann]

Yes that's what I'm doing some for maidup! Trouble is, beetroot isn't cheap to buy these days, they used to be so cheap years ago. Now they are £1 bunch and you need around 3-4 bunches to make just one batch of pickle. Does anyone know if Aldi sells fresh beetroot?

[mazie]

Sounds lovely Ann.

[Maydup]

Do you have a farm shop or a market stall near by?

[Ann]

Actually farm shops are dearer now than some supermarkets or market stalls - I called in to get the latest bunches and one farm shop was charging £1.50!!!

[parkie]

This is a sore subject in our house today Ann.
My wife spent ages this morning peeling and cutting up apple and various other things to make some chutney then sat down for a cup of coffee leaving the pan on the cooker.
Suddenly the smoke alarm went off and we rushed into the kitchen to find it full of smoke.
The whole contents were burnt and there is about quarter of an inch of solid burnt stuff on the bottom of the pan.
So it looks like we could do with some of yours instead.
Thanks for the offer.

[gingejbee]

Ann: Aldi sells packs of cooked beetroot (500gm)- when on offer, at 39p. Bought several packs recently.

[Ann]

Thanks gingejbee - I have tried it previous years using vacuum packed beetroot, it is acceptable but not half as nice as made with fresh. Maybe I will make another couple of batches using brill priced Aldi ones though, thanks for the tip!

[Prudie]

Sorry Ann but beetroot should be banned bleuuurrrgh

[Ann]

O dear - poor Mrs Parkdale, a woman after my own heart, I'm always cremating things on the stove, usually new potatoes!
PS Ann's sweet beetroot pickle going at the bargain price of .......£20 a jar ;)

[Ann]

No - it's lovely Prudie, but not so lovely cooking it, they must be the messiest things ever to prepare, the beetroot juice stains everything - hands, sinks, saucepans, worktops :(

[ttfn]

In summer, to make beetroot more 'controllable, I finely dice the cooked beet - add to a clean coffee jar and add half a raspberry jelly disolved in white vinegar. It sounds odd but I really like the taste of it. Very quick and simple too.

[askyourgran]

That sounds lovely ann, I wish I'd seen this earlier, Ive pickled 4 jars of beetroot today, last of the crop. I must try to remember this next time.

[Ann]

ttfn - that sounds interesting using jelly. How long does it last?

[Ann]

Once tried AYG, there is no going back to mundane old pickled ones! ;)

[ttfn]

Not very in my house. I think it would though with the vinegar in it. I shall never know ...

[Ann]

I gave some of my pickle to my friend yesterday, she said "I will leave it to mature until Christmas, that's what you do with pickles isn't it?"
Haha, Not in my house - we always start eating it the very next day .......can't wait that long!

[ttfn]

Ever tried pickled pears, Ann? Big Sis had a glut one year and had seen a receipt for them. Various spices incl star anise. They were lovely, but you don't get many whole pears in a kilner jar, more's the pity.