Harvesting and Cooking Beets: A Gardener’s Guide
Beets are a delightful addition to any garden, offering a dual harvest of nutrient-packed greens and vibrant, earthy roots. But what happens when you wait a little too long to harvest? In today’s post, I’ll walk you through harvesting beets, share some cooking tips, and even show how I incorporate them into homemade dog food.
Harvesting Beets: What to Know
Ideally, you want to harvest beets when they're small to medium-sized. These are tender, sweet, and perfect for a variety of dishes. But sometimes, life gets busy, and your beets grow into what I like to call super beets—large roots that can be a bit woody for human palates. Thankfully, nothing in the garden needs to go to waste!
If your beets get oversized, don’t worry. You can still use them creatively. In my case, they’re perfect for homemade dog food. My dogs adore them, and I know they’re getting something healthy and free from artificial additives.
Quick and Easy Cleaning: The Hose Trick
Cleaning freshly harvested beets can be a messy job, but I like to keep it simple. Before cooking, I make quick work of the dirt by spraying them off with a garden hose. It’s fast, efficient, and spares my kitchen sink from a muddy mess. Plus, it’s satisfying to see those vibrant colors pop as the dirt washes away!
Beet Greens: Don’t Toss Them!
Did you know beet greens are edible and packed with vitamins? You can sauté them, add them to smoothies, or toss them in a salad. However, if you have backyard chickens, as I do, they’ll happily enjoy the greens as well. Sharing with my flock is an easy way to minimize waste and keep everyone happy!
Cooking Beets: Why the Instant Pot is a Game-Changer
Cooking beets can be time-consuming, especially if they’re on the larger side. That’s where the Instant Pot comes in. Here’s how I cook mine:
Preparation: If your beets are huge, chop them into smaller pieces to reduce cooking time. For smaller, tender beets, you can leave them whole.
Washing: (After your quick hose rinse, of course!) Trim off any greens or roots, leaving clean, ready-to-cook beets.
Cooking: Add about 1.5 cups of water to the Instant Pot. Place the beets inside and pressure cook on high for 30 minutes.
Peeling: After cooking, let them cool slightly. The skins will rub off easily with just a little pressure—no peeling knife required!
Freezing Beets for Later Use
Large harvests can be overwhelming, but freezing cooked beets is a lifesaver. After pressure cooking:
Slice the beet into smaller pieces.
Arrange the pieces on a sheet pan and freeze for 1–2 hours. (Or, if you're like me, leave them overnight—it works just as well!)
Once frozen, transfer the pieces to a Ziploc bag. Now you have portioned beets ready for soups, salads, or dog food!
A Dog-Friendly Treat
Beets are a fantastic ingredient for homemade dog food, adding nutrients and natural sweetness. Just ensure they’re cooked and free from any added seasonings like salt or spices. My dogs go wild for beet-infused meals, making this a great way to use up oversized roots.
Gardening is all about making the most of your harvest, whether it’s perfect produce or quirky, oversized outliers. Beets are versatile, delicious, and packed with nutrition for both humans and animals. Happy gardening and cooking!
