Questions About Beets

[Mackay]

I have a lot of beets that I plan on storing in the spare frige for the winter.

How do I clean these. Will a soft brush be ok? Should I cut the root tails off or at least short?
Should I have them fully dry or slighly damp.
I was going to put them in plastic bags but perhaps wrapping them in a towel is better?

How would you do it?

also when I was growing them some seemed to pop right out of the soil exposing 2/3 of them. Should these be recovered with soil are are they OK?

thanks

 

[lesa]

No need to recover with dirt- they are fine. Not sure how long you are going to be able to keep them in the fridge... I have frozen and canned mine. Pickled beets come out delicious! If you are going to store them in the fridge- they should be super dry. Brushing off the dirt, should work. I put a paper towel in with mine, in case of moisture. Good luck!

 

[Carol Dee]

Do not cut into the beet. Leave a little top and leave the tails on. They will bleed juice if you cut into them.

 

[Mackay]

Thanks!

I have had beets purchased at the supermarket last over 6 months in the frige... but its been a while ago

 

[April Manier]

I think you might get 6 months out of them.

Be careful not to cut the beet itself, just the leaves off. But be sure and cook up some of the greens. you'll love 'em.

 

[hoodat]

Treat storage beets carefully and don't use any brush of any kind on them. Beet skin is very tender and any scratches will give bacteria a chance to get inside and spoil them. You are better off leaving just rinsing them under running water. If a little dirt is left on you can clean them again just before using them.