Beetroot

[lindy]

I have some beetroot that are now ready to dig up. I have read the best way to pickle them. But!! do I boil them first and then peel them. If so for how long? This is my first attempt at beetroot. Normally they come of a supermarket shelf!

[Lesley Jay]

The important thing with beetroot is to cook it with the skin intact otherwise it will bleed all the colour out. I was told to screw off the leaves with my hands rather than cutting them off with a knife (although I don't think it makes a difference) leaving about one inch of stalk on the beetroot. Do not remove any part of the root and wash very carefully so as not to puncture the skins as the beetroot will bleed. Then I boil them for about 45 minutes. Let them cool down and my way of removing the skins is to get a plate, stick a fork in a beetroot, place it on the plate and using a knife just gently scrape the skins off and top and tail the beetroot. The fork and knife mean that you never touch the beetroot and so don't end up with permanently coloured red hands! Now you have me longing for a beetroot sandwiche!!!

[lindy]

Many thanks.

[paul]

Hi Lindy,

If you don't want the staining, plant white beetroot. They taste exactly the same and no mess.

[Rockrose]

I cool down the cooked beetroot with cold water so I can hold them. Then I use disposal plastic gloves and move my hands around the skin to gently peel them while they're still warm.

[uglygourd]

How can you not have red beetroot Its all part of the fun red hands and the panic in the morning with the red wee!!!

[pondarosa-finn]

yes boil them for about 15mins then the skins just slide off....beautiful...mmmm get them pickled and eaten