Please do not throw away those fresh beet greens when cooking fresh beets. Cook the beet greens and enjoy a delicious and nutritious dish just like your grandparents grew up with. Learn How To Cook Fresh Beet Greens.
Place beets in a large heavy pan and cover with water. Bring just to a boil; reduce heat to medium, cover and cook until fork tender, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from heat and drain.
Let beets cool until you can safely handle them. Once cooled, you can peel them; the skin of a cooked beet will slip right off. However, it's wise to use a paper towel or wear gloves to keep the beet juice from staining your hands. Then either leave whole or cut the beets in slices.
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, whole allspice, whole cloves, and cinnamon; bring to a boil, stirring until sugar melts. Reduce heat and let the pickling brine simmer approximately 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and strain spices out of the liquid (optional). NOTE: Some people like to keep the spices in the liquid.
Have clean pint-sized sterilized canning jars ready to use. Prepare two-piece lids and rings according to instructions on lid box.
Pack peeled and trimmed trimmed beets into the hot canning jars, leaving 1/2-inch head space. Carefully pour hot pickling brine into each jar, covering beets, and allowing 1/4-inch head space. Run a thin spatula through jars to remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rims with a damp paper towel. Add caps and bands.
Place filled jars on a rack in a water bath canner. The tops of the jars should be covered with 1-inch of water.
Process for 30 minutes in boiling water canner. Begin timing as soon as the water begins to boil.
Store jars in a cool, dark place and let set for 6 to 8 weeks before opening. They will just get better as they age, so try to be patient. Consume within 8 months.
* Small beets can be pickled whole. Larger beets can be sliced in 1/4-inch slices or diced. If desired, use a mixture of red and golden beets.
Pickled Whole Beets Recipe: https://whatscookingamerica.net/vegetables/pickledbeets.htm