How to freeze beets in the freezer for the winter

Selecting and preparing beets for freezing

Before you freeze beets in the freezer for the winter, you need to know which root crop can be used for such purposes. It is better to give preference to young fruits, which have a burgundy or dark red color. In this case, the fruit should not be too small and, most importantly, it should not have any defects and signs that it has already begun to rot.

Late varieties are best suited. She has a richer taste and color. such vegetables are resistant to sudden drops in temperature.

The preliminary preparation of the vegetable crop is that the roots must be washed well with a brush and peeled. In this case, the removed layer of the skin must be very thin, so it is better to use a vegetable peeler rather than a knife.

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Beets with bristles on the surface are not suitable for freezing, such a root crop is very tough.

Freezing methods

The differences in the methods of freezing beets are in what form the vegetable is. So, the root crop can be sent to the whole cold winter. Then for each vegetable you need to use a separate bag or container. This will preserve the flavor and shape.

Before use, such beets must be completely thawed, since if they are frozen, then grate or cut them will not work.

For borscht

If you need to freeze beets for the winter in the borsch freezer, then it is better to take them raw. In this case, the fruits can be cut into strips, pieces or use a grater.

The method is simple: we pack the root crop in bags or containers and put it in the freezer. It is not necessary to defrost the vegetable before use.

Another way that will allow you to make such a semi-finished product with which you can cook a very tasty borscht:

Grind raw beets on a coarse grater.
We send the vegetable to a hot pan (with butter).
Add a teaspoon of sugar and a tablespoon of vinegar to one fruit.
Pour in water, stir, simmer for 20 minutes.
Cool the workpiece, distribute it in jars along with the brine and put it in the freezer.

For the first courses, such a blank must completely thaw, so we get it out in 12 hours.

For vinaigrette

Vinaigrette is a delicious and nutritious salad that is prepared mainly in winter. You can also freeze beets to make it.

To do this, we take a root crop of a beautiful burgundy color, clean it well under running water and boil it until fully cooked. After the vegetable has completely cooled down, peel off the peel.

In order to facilitate the process of preparing salad in the future, we cut the beets into cubes. We pack in containers and put in the freezer. Defrost the beets before use, however, some housewives add them to the salad directly in frozen form.

Beets need to be thawed only at room temperature, quick defrosting will kill all the nutrients in it, and the vegetable itself will become insipid.

Boiled

For the winter, beets can be frozen both fresh and boiled. The boiled vegetable can be used for various salads.

First, the beets must be boiled along with the peel and the whole rhizome, otherwise it will lose its rich color. Then the root crop must be dipped in boiled water and cooked until tender (about 2-3 hours). Old beets take longer to cook.

Then the vegetable needs to be cooled and peeled, and in order not to spend a lot of time on cooking in the future, at this stage it can be chopped in any convenient way. After the preparation is packaged in containers or bags, freeze.

Together with the beets, you can immediately freeze the carrots, and then use them as a preparation for borscht.

Puree

You can stock up on vegetables for the winter in the form of beetroot puree. This method is especially suitable for families with small children. And if you add a little garlic to the puree, but adults will not refuse such a snack either.

To do this, boil the root crop, cool, clean and grind in a blender. Put the puree in containers and freeze.

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How to freeze beet tops

Not many people know that you can freeze not only the root crop itself, but also its green tops, which contain many useful substances. You can cook borsch from the tops, prepare a salad, casserole, strudel and many other dishes.

Freezing stages:

We select good juicy leaves and clean them under running water, then dry them.
Grind the herbs, but not very finely.
We pack in sachets and freeze.

Freezing beets - what else is good to know

For greater safety, it is better to freeze the beets in portions - this way you do not have to defrost and freeze the vegetable several times, due to which it will lose its nutrients. It is also better to send the root vegetable to the freezer immediately after harvesting. The sooner it goes into winter storage, the better.

As for the choice of packaging, food containers or regular bags are suitable, which will significantly save space in the freezer.

Opinions differ on the storage of such a product. Some believe that it can be stored for 4 months, others that nothing will happen to the preparation in a year. The optimal period is from 6 to 8 months.

You also need to familiarize yourself with the correct defrosting process. It is important to remember that you need to freeze the vegetable quickly and thaw it slowly in order to preserve the valuable substances.

Advice:

the freezer container can be placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator;
can be left on the kitchen table at a temperature of +18 ° C;
it is permissible to use beets without defrosting, especially if the vegetable is already cut;
if the beets need to be boiled, then defrosting is also optional, in this form it will cook faster.

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It is unacceptable to defrost a vegetable in the microwave or under hot water.

You can freeze beets for the winter in the freezer in any form and even in combination with other vegetables - the method depends on the desires of the hostess. But in any case, it is better to use fresh and young fruits of table varieties.

Outcomes

You can freeze beets in any form: raw, boiled, whole, in pieces, grated.
Young fruits of table varieties without defects and signs of rot are suitable for freezing.
It is better to defrost beets on the lower shelf of the refrigerator compartment or on the kitchen table, but not under hot water or in a microwave oven.
Other vegetables, such as carrots, can be frozen along with the beets. This will create a ready-made dressing for borscht.