Canning Beets - Home Vegetable Garden

[sulaearts]

Canned my first batch. Put in 1/2 tap salt though I wished I had not. Did your beets stay sweet? Mine were kinda bland but when I cooked some on the stove, they stayed sweet.

[webcajun]

@sulaearts ... The last batch I canned I put a little sugar in the mix. The grandkids loved em.......Donald

[22justus2]

You are one fortunate man in that you have not been injured or lost the entire set of jars in that canner!! To remove the weight before the pressure goes down of it's own accord is to cut short the processing time, for one thing, and also causes the pressure to increase tremendously inside the boiling jars. This can cause the jars to explode violently inside the canner. I know, it has happened before. There is not one expert that will advise you to do this. Be safe, and show others how to.

[webcajun]

@22justus2 ... You are 100% correct, cutting corners is not a good thing to do......Donald

[Teresacarol123]

Ok thanks, I dont want to use the same lids.I know I have to use new ones. I hope they know weather or not I can recan them.

[Teresacarol123]

I already canned my beets. I wanted to know if I can open them, pickle my juice and reseal them without hurting the beets?

[Teresacarol123]

What I need to know is if I can reheat the juice put in pickling and reseal the jars without ruining my beets.

[webcajun]

@Teresacarol123 ... I've never done that so you may want to contact the people at Ball and ask them......Donald

[Teresacarol123]

I hope someone helps me with my beet problem!!!

[Teresacarol123]

I canned beets today. The gentleman I canned for wants pickled beets. How can I fix this?

[webcajun]

@Teresacarol123 ... Check out my videos I have one on pickled beets.....Donald

[missmonasuzette]

Great video webcajun! question...I'm new to canning and have the all american 921. Altitude 1048. First attempt I used 10 lbs. pressure. (instructions say anything over 1000 should be 15) Weight did not jiggle at 10 lbs. Turned heat up a bit and got the jiggle just a hair over 10 on gauge. Second time in fear of contamination after reading tons of stuff,...used 15. Weight jiggled about 3 pounds shy of 15. With heat up to try to get closer to 15 constant jiggle and hiss. Suggestions??

[webcajun]

@missmonasuzette ... Try to adjust the heat to get 3-4 jiggles a minute at 15. I'm at about 50 ft. above sea level so I really don't know much about higher alt.......Donald

[Albrictona]

Thank you so much for the video. Everything is so well explained. My Grandmother left me a pot almost like that and I knew it had something to do with canning, and now I can make use of it! I look forward to watching your other videos. Thanks again!

[webcajun]

@Albrictona ...I suggest getting the Ball canning book, it has lots or recipes. Follow them to the letter when it comes to processing times......Donald

[medicjimr]

I really have been enjoying your videos both gardening and canning I am learning allot thank you and Godbless

[webcajun]

@medicjimr ...Glad you enjoy and you're welcome.......Donald

[Alleydc]

Bad technique. You should not remove the weight until the pressure has naturally come down to zero. Doing so could cause premature depressurization of the jars and interfere with correct sealing.

[webcajun]

@Alleydc ... you're right......Donald

[22justus2]

@Alleydc You are correct in this. You also lose fluid due to the violent boiling that takes place when this is done. The great possibility of the jars exploding is always there when they are de-pressurized too quickly.. Just too risky. Follow the experts and let the canner de-pressurize naturally. This is actually part of the processing time and is needed to preserve the food safely.

[tmflower]

Is it possible to do this process without a pressure cooker and just boil in a covered pot for 40 minutes like tomatoes ?

Thanks,

Tom in Phoenix

[webcajun]

@tmflower ... since you're not pickling the beets (using vinegar) they need to be processed in a pressure canner. Check out the USDA web site, they have some of the best informaion out there about how to safely can fruits, vegetables and meats.......Donald

[22justus2]

@tmflower Absolutely not!! Only fruits and tomatoes can be done in a boiling water bath. All other vegetables MUST be done in a pressure cooker for food safety. Temperatures must reach 240 degs. for the required minutes for vegetables to be properly preserved. Read up on : "Botulism" in a google search and this should clear up any questions you may have about safe canning methods. People still die from botulism from improperly prepared foods, especially in canning.

[mrva99]

AWESOME video.... one question though, when you added water to the jars of beets, was it hot water or room temp? NEED MORE CANNING VIDEO'S THANK YOU DONALD!!!!

[webcajun]

@mrva99 ... in this video the water added was at room temp. Both the beets and jars had cooled down some so I didn't want to crack the jars. One thing you don't want to do it remove the weight like I did in the video until all the pressure is gone in the canner. This usually take about 30-45 minutes. I was in a hurry and cutting corners which I don't recommend.......Donald

[greyhoundfriend123]

The beet is my fav crop. Greens and beetroot. Bounty from both ends. Thank you for showing us how to can beetroot for winter.

[webcajun]

@greyhoundfriend123 ... I love some cold beets right out of the frig with a meal. Glad you enjoyed the vid.......Donald

[abbscobutsna]

You don't use salt???

[webcajun]

@abbscobutsna ... salt is optional......Donald

[brballa]

Thank you so much sir for your videos. Is there a canner that you recommend a beginner to use?

[webcajun]

@brballa check out the All-American brand......... Donald

[SupHobagg]

this is awesome! beets are my favorite thing to snack on. thanks.

[webcajun]

Will have a video out next month on pickling beets. They are really good.......... Donald

[SupHobagg]

@webcajun, cool! subbing now =) would have last night but needed some sleep haha. Thank you again Donald. Keep up the great work!! Oh and Happy Holidays to you and your family.

[lcky9]

Can you can beets with a mixture of water, sugar and vinegar? sorta like a sweet sour sauce which is how we like them..

[webcajun]

Check out the USDA web site. They probably have a pickling recipe for beets. I haven't tried pickling them yet, that's next on the list ....... Donald

[graphicsprincess]

Thank you for the video! I just picked a lot of beets out of my garden. Some of them are the size of softballs. :)

[webcajun]

Careful with the really big ones, they may be a little tough....... Donald

[graphicsprincess]

Ok thank you for the info. :-)

[webcajun]

Believe me it's as easy as it looks........ Donald

[TheNinjaGardener]

i always wanted to know how it was done, thanks.

[webcajun]

You're welcome......  Donald

[hayyouman11]

Can you can the beets in a oil and vinegar mix instead of water?

[webcajun]

Never tried it and have never heard of using it........ Donald

[cwaj]

I'm CWAJ..........

[cwaj]

I'm in Texas, but next year I will grow more beets, and can!

Thank you so much!

[webcajun]

You're welcome......  Donald

[tinafisher]

Goodstuff, I think I'll try beets in the garden this year, you have emboldened me!!!

[webcajun]

A little encouragement goes a long way sometimes...... Donald

[lafintipe]

Hey there Donald--

enjoyed watching this video. We're not beet lovers, but I still watched just cuz I learn so much from you each & every time I do.

A side question: was wondering... you seem to do an awful lot of the work on your own.  Do you have a Mrs. Webcajun that enjoys working along side of you?

Oh, and BTW-- I love it when you let the dogs tag along. "Luuuuucy" is my favorite. :)

[webcajun]

Yes there is a Mrs. WebCajun but she chooses not to help unless absolutely necessary. I pretty much do it all alone. If someone doesn't enjoy gardening it's best not to ask.

I can't take a step out the door unless they are both right there with me. When I leave in my truck I have to tie up the older dog Molly or I'll find both of them miles down the road looking for me...... Donald

[swt1212]

Great series of videos, sir! Thanks for all the information.

[webcajun]

You're welcome. Hope to get a few more good ones up there this season...... Donald

[1DRock37167]

Great advice on the pressure canner, too many people get in a hurry and get hurt.

[webcajun]

240 degrees at 10 lbs. of pressure.

[AnneMarie96]

Now I'm hungry. :)

[webcajun]

I couldn't resist and opened a jar a couple of days later, they were good. I also canned some mustard greens and tried them out as well, they were good too. LOL ...... Donald

[ELHIEGER1]

You've got a lot of toys Don. Great Video. Silly question, what happens if you don't take the air out of the cans? I've canned some Jam, but may have made a rookie mistake by not clearing out the air...

[webcajun]

Don't quote me on this, but if you leave large air bubbles in the jars you may not get a good vacuum seal. In the processing I believe what little air that is left is vented around the seal...... Donald

[zanezip85]

Thanks-a-mucho for allowing me to learn from you sir.

Zane

[webcajun]

Some folks need just a little nudge in the right direction and I enjoy doing it. Thanks...... Donald

[Octahoney]

Donald, if you don't mind me asking, what did you do before you retired? My boyfriend's shop looks similar to yours...he is a sculptor with lots of welding and wood working equipment.

[webcajun]

I was a correctional officer with the Louisiana Dept. of Corrections. I worked in the State Prison at Angola before transferring to another facility closer to home. It is not a profession I would recommend to anyone. You either have what it takes or you don't, there is no in-between. I have to be careful and not use prison slang in the videos. LOL Oh, I built an airplane in that shop a few years ago. Check out my other site at light-sport-aircraft . org if you get a chance...... Donald

[Octahoney]

I can only imagine. No wonder you took up gardening! The serenity! :)

[jstrunck]

W.C.,

Fine Business on the beets! I have never tried them before. They don't look too bad.

Oh Yeah, Nice Lincoln 225!

John

[webcajun]

I like to cook em with all the seasoning then put em in the frig and eat them ice cold with rice and gravy. Good stuff.

My mig welder bit the dust so I decided, with the little bit of welding I do, that cracker box is all I needed. I am not too good at welding I have to used 6013s. I cannot complain about my little mig I used it to build my shop which has withstood several hurricanes...... Donald

[guest2424]

Being how resourceful you are, I am sure all the waste from the beets were either composted or fed to something :)

Thanks for the video.

[webcajun]

Some of it was put in the compost pile and the rest will be tilled right back into the garden...... Donald

[Octahoney]

Thanks so much for posting, i have learned a lot! We are planning a larger garden this year and my mother is coming to visit to show me how to can. I love your videos and look forward to all your posts! :)

Thanks again and take care!

[webcajun]

You are welcome ... The USDA has some excellent information on everything you need to know about canning. They tell you which vegetables and fruit can be put up in a water bath and which need to be pressure canned...... Donald

[crewlla]

thanks for this video. I learnt so much from it.

[webcajun]

You're welcome ... Anyone who cans will tell you it takes a little time but it is so easy to do...... Donald

[jakescollectibles]

Thanks Donald, thats what I was looking for. Hope you will put more on, especially when you do Green Beans. Take Care, Sandy

[webcajun]

Thanks Sandy about the only thing that changes is the process time. They are all basically done the same way. I canned mustard green yesterday with bacon and all the seasoning added. I opened a jar for supper tonight and they were delicious. Will be putting a lot more jars up as soon as I get some supplies...... Donald

[kimmiegirl1975]

Hey Donald! Do you ever can with just the hot water bath. My mama used to do it that way. I am hoping to have enough to do some canning this summer and I need to learn how to can again. I remember she'd put her jars in the oven and put everything super hot, in the water for 30 min then on the counter and cover them with towels.

[webcajun]

Yes I do both methods. The water bath method is for high acid foods like tomatoes and fruit. Pressure canning is for low acid which is the majority of vegetables...... Donald

[mukwah1111]

Now that has nothing to do with beets or canning but I thought you would enjoy it !!! heheh

[mukwah1111]

Three dogs were sitting in a bar: a German Shepherd, an English Bulldog, & a Chihuahua.

A good looking female mastiff walked up to them &said, "The one who can best use the words "liver" & "cheese" in a sentence can have me." The shepherd said, "I love liver &cheese " The mastiff said, "That's not good enough." The bulldog said "I hate liver & cheese " "Not creative enough said the mastiff. The chihuahua jumped off the barstool & in his best Latin accent, said,

"Liver alone, cheese mine."

[evcrawfish]

that reminds me, i need to go check and see if i got any beets or carrots in my corrugated tin raised bed. i had forgotten all about them messin with the other garden...lol.

thanks for the canning lesson sir, we are surely gonna need em.

[webcajun]

I dug all my carrots and canned them awhile back. Planted some more, hope they come up. I think people should learn how to can vegetables and meats, just in case...... Donald

[evcrawfish]

oh yeah, my wife and i bought a pressure cooker and a non pressure pot cooker,, and we have books and downloaded stuff off the internet,,,lol

last summer i had one cucumber plant and we got enough cucumbers to can like 30 jars of pickles. and then we did some apple sauce and peas for my son... can't wait to get the big garden in and get all that fresh produce. yummy yummy to my tummy LOL

[mukwah1111]

I sterilize my canning jars in the oven rather than fooling with boiling water. 250F for 20 mins and they are ready to go. Use that method for canning jams, jellies, vegs, etc.

[webcajun]

Some say you can do it in the microwave as well...... Donald

[mukwah1111]

Dont know about the microwave but the oven holds many jars at one time...the microwave would not and I would be afraid of irregular hot spots & such. Oven works best for me because when I can -

I CAN ! Mega batches & jars to make the effort worth while. Happy Canning Donald from the Can-Kan Canner

[mukwah1111]

Beets are so fabulous & hard to get here in KS...super expensive when found. Donald try roasting those beets after they are boiled...peel cut into wedges, place in ovenproof dish or even foil..dot with butter, salt/pepper & a splash of Balsamic vinegar..roast for 30 mins & serve. We call them "Country Beets" hehe Outstanding ! Thks for sharing this vid. Enjoy your Country Beets !