When you have so many beets, what do you do? Preserve them through dehydration. This process can take up to 24 hours, and it’s straightforward.
Beets come in varying sizes, ranging from small to large. You can decide to freeze the small ones and experiment with the large ones.
Here is how to dehydrate beets, first cook the beets for five minutes and slice them, then place them on the dehydrator tray at 1300F or 550C for 20 hours finally, remove the beets and store them in a cool place.
There are so many uses for dried beets that it’s hard to think they only have one. You can experiment with multiple ways to use them. This article covers how to dehydrate beets.
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What Are Beets?
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Beetroots refer to the root portion of a plant known as beets. In North America, it is commonly referred to as beets.
The vegetable is sometimes referred to as table beets, garden beets, red beets, dinner beets, or golden beets.
This variety of Beta vulgaris is commonly grown for its edible leaves and taproots. It has been labeled as part of the B. Vulgaris group.
Other beets commonly grown for their edible leaves and taproots include sugar beets, spinach beets, and chard. There are also three subspecies of this plant.
How to Dehydrate Beets
Dehydrating beets is arguably one of the easiest things to do in the kitchen. It takes a lot of time, but that’s all there is.
To successfully dehydrate your beets, all you need do is take the following simple steps;
- Prepare the beets by placing them in a single layer on your dehydrator trays. Set the temperature to 130 degrees Fahrenheit and allow them to dehydrate for 20 hours.
- You might want to check them after 16 hours, but leaving them for 20 hours is not going to ruin them, so it’s best to leave them for 20 hours.
- Some people find that they must go longer than usual to dehydrate their beets completely. This is fine, as long as you don’t over-dehydrate them. The better option is to let them dry properly.
One of the most critical factors you should consider when dehydrating food is ensuring that all the water content has been removed.
Doing so will allow them to retain their nutrients and keep them fresh for a long time. The drier, the better.
Instructions
- Cook the beets until they are slightly done. Cook for five minutes.
- You don’t need to peel the beets before they’re pressure-cooked. Instead, they can be run under cold water to remove their skins.
- Use a knife to cut the beets into 1/4-inch slices.
- Prepare the trays by layering the beets in the dehydrator at a temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit or 55 degrees Celsius for 20 hours.
- They’re usually ready to completely dry by around 16 to 20 hours, depending on the humidity levels. If your slices are thick, it could take longer.
After dehydrating the beets, remove them from the trays and store them in a cool, dry place. Once they’re adequately dehydrated, they will last for a long time.
Read: How to Keep Hard Candies From Sticking Together
Health Benefits of Beets
Besides being nutritious, beets are also filled with various medicinal properties. They contain high levels of nutrients and minerals. These are some of its incredible health benefits;
1. Help Regulate Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a common cause of heart disease. However, it can be reduced by eating beets, which can help lower blood pressure levels.
The effect of eating beets is more significant when it comes to lowering blood pressure.
It can be noted that raw beets have a more substantial impact than cooked ones. In addition, their high levels of nutrients can help lower the pressure in the heart.
2. Improves Athletic Performance
Several studies reveal that dietary nitrates such as those present in beets can improve athletic performance.
A review stated that beetroot juice could help improve endurance by increasing the time it takes for an individual to become exhausted. It can also help boost their respiratory performance.
3. It Fights Inflammation
Besides being filled with nutrients, beets are also loaded with betalains, which have anti-inflammatory properties.
This natural compound can help lower the risk of chronic inflammation, which can be associated with various conditions such as cancer and heart disease.
A study conducted on 24 individuals with high blood pressure revealed that drinking 8 ounces of beetroot juice daily for two weeks significantly reduced the levels of markers of inflammation.
These included tumor necrosis factor-alpha and C-reactive protein.
4. Can Improve Digestion
The fiber found in beets can bypass the colon and go to the other part of the body, where it feeds friendly gut bacteria.
Drinking beets can help promote healthy digestion and prevent various conditions such as constipation. It can also help lower the risk of inflammatory bowel disease.
Fiber can also help lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and colon cancer. It can additionally help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Drinking beets can also help promote healthy digestion and prevent various conditions such as constipation. It can additionally help lower the risk of inflammatory bowel disease.
5. Easy to Incorporate Into Your Diet
You can choose to roast, juice, or even pickle them. You can also purchase them precooked or canned.
They can be enjoyed raw or sliced thinly.
Since nitrates are water-soluble, it’s best to avoid boiling beets. Doing so will help minimize their nitrate content.
Read: How to Reheat Amaranth
Conclusion
As promised, the article covered exciting aspects of beets. The article surrounded how to dehydrate beets. It also briefly explained what beet is and rounded up with some of its health benefits.
