How to freeze beets for the winter

How to prepare beets for freezing

Carefully inspect the root crops and discard rotten, limp and soft specimens. For harvesting, choose strong beets with smooth skin. Pay attention to the tail. If it is covered with multiple small hairs, the beets will be too tough, so give preference to root vegetables with a smooth root.

If the beets have tops, cut them off, leaving a “stump” of 1–2 cm. By the way, don’t rush to throw it away: good greens can also be frozen. Rinse each vegetable under cold water to remove dirt. If necessary, use a sponge or brush.

How to freeze fresh beets for the winter

Such supplies will speed up the preparation borscht.

What you will need

• Beet;
• knife;
• vegetable peeler - optional;
• cutting board;
• grater;
• plastic bags (regular or with a zip fastener);
• Vacuumator - optional.

How to do

1. Cut off the tails and hard tops of root vegetables. Remove the peel with a knife or vegetable peeler.

2. Grate the beets on a coarse grater.

3. Place the chopped vegetables into bags. Press down on the package to release excess air and shape it flat to save space in your freezer. Tie the bags in a knot, close the clasps, or use a vacuum sealer.

4. Store the bags of beets in the freezer.

How to freeze boiled beets for the winter

Vegetables can be used for cooking vinaigrette, herring under a fur coat and other dishes immediately after defrosting.

What you will need

• Beet;
• pot;
• water;
• knife;
• cutting board;
• grater - optional;
• plastic bags (regular or with a zip fastener);
• Vacuumator - optional.

How to do

1. Place the vegetables in the pan. Pour water so that it completely covers the root vegetables. Cover the container with a lid, place on the fire and bring to a boil.

2. Periodically check the readiness of the beets with a fork or knife. When the flesh is easily pierced, remove the vegetables from the heat. The cooking time depends on the quality and size of the vegetables. On average, this will take 1–2 hours. However, the process can be accelerated - in a separate article we will tell you how cook beets faster.

3. Drain the hot water from the pan and add cold water until the vegetables cool completely.

4. Peel the beets, cut off the tails and hard tops.

5. Grind the beets in any way, depending on what dishes you plan to use them in. So, you can cut vegetables into cubes, bars, strips, slices, or grate them.

If desired, you can prepare boiled beets whole. True, in this case the supplies will take up a lot of space in the freezer.

6. Pack the beets into bags. For convenience, make portions that are enough to prepare one dish. Press down on the package to release excess air, and then tie it with a knot or close the clasp. You can also use a vacuum sealer.

7. Place the bags of boiled beets in the freezer for storage.

How to freeze beet tops for the winter

Young, juicy and green tops are suitable for freezing. It can be added to soups, salads and others. dishes.

What you will need

• Beet tops;
• colander;
• knife;
• scissors - optional;
• napkins or towel;
• cutting board;
• plastic bags (regular or with a zip fastener).

How to do

1. Rinse the tops thoroughly under cold water to remove dirt, sand and small debris. Place the greens in a colander and allow any excess liquid to drain.

2. If you only want to freeze the leaves, separate the stems with a knife or scissors. Spread the greens on napkins or a towel in a thin layer and let them dry.

3. Cut beet tops into desired size pieces. But you shouldn’t make them too small, otherwise the greens risk turning into mush after defrosting.

4. Place the blanks into bags.

5. Gently press down on the packages to release any excess air, then tie them in a knot or close the clasps. Place the greens in the freezer for storage.