Beets are a nutritious root vegetable that will stay fresh for a long time if stored properly. If you harvest them from your garden or purchase them at the grocery store, correct storage will ensure that their flavor and texture are preserved.
Best Ways to Store Beets
- Refrigeration for short-term storage If you intend to make use of beets in a couple of weeks, keep your beets inside the refrigerator. Take the leaves off (but don't cut through the roots) and put them in a plastic bag with perforations in the drawer of the crisper. This helps prevent the loss of moisture and helps keep fresh.
- root cellar for Storage Over the Long Term
For those who follow good gardening practices keeping beets inside a root cellar is a great alternative. You can place them in a box filled with damp sand, or sawdust to preserve humidity and avoid shrinking. - Freezing for Long-Term Use
Beets may also be frozen to store them for a long time. Begin by boiling the beets by boiling them for a couple of minutes. Then, cool them in ice water before cutting and peeling. Place them in an airtight container as well as freezer bags.
Using Stored Beets in Your Garden-Fresh Meals
Beets work well with other fresh vegetables, such as lettuce as well as Swiss chard. If you're thinking, "Will lettuce grow back after being cut? Three ways to harvest a lettuce plant" The truth is that it will! The cut-and-come-again method of harvesting is a guarantee for continuous growth. Similarly, Swiss chard is another versatile leafy green, but what causes Swiss chard to taste bitter (and how to fix it)? Bitter flavors often result from heat stress or poor soil conditions--adjusting watering and soil nutrients can improve its taste.
If you follow these storage tips You can take advantage of fresh beets all year, while getting the most out possible out of all the fruits of your gardeninghabits!
