Red Flannel Hash or What to do with beets.

[Delmonico]

Ok, admit it, most of you folks when you saw that picture expected a recipe for pickled beets. And most of the rest simply thought yuck, and may not have even looked further.

A bit of background on this one, "Red flannel Hash." A 18th and 19th Century dish that is seldom seen before because:
1. Many people think they hate beets from eating canned beets or pickles.
2. Few really bother to grow a large vegetable garden any more.
3. The dang things are expensive to buy at the store or farmers markets.

Hash was a common breakfast meal on military posts; a lot of posts either grew or attempted to grow gardens to provide for the troops it being hard to ship fresh produce to many of them.

Beets as a crop has two uses, not only do we have the beet root many are familiar with as mostly pickles or Harvard Beets, but the young leaves, stems and root make some of the best greens. In fact the beet "seed" is not really a seed, but a fruiting body containing one or more seeds, hence the beets need thinned, these thinning's then can be used for greens.



The basis for red flannel hash is that part of the potatoes are replaced with beets. Hash is one I don't like to pin down to a recipe, most often it's made with leftovers, carrots and other vegetables are often added, often it being made the morning after a pot roast or corded beef with vegetables, most often a New England boiler dinner or corned beef and cabbage.

I tried this for the first time this year at a GAF event, having gotten back to gardening again and having the beets needed. I simply boiled up the potatoes and beets (boil beets with peel, tap root and part of the stems in place to prevent bleeding) the evening before.

In the morning since I had no leftover meat, (doesn't happen often) I just chopped some bacon and fried it up, adding a couple chopped onions in with it.







When it was done and served it was well received by the troops and has been requested to be on the menu again next year.

[Mossyrock]

Beets have one purpose.  Compost.  Period.

[Professor Marvel]

Normally (and for the reasons previously stated by Del) I hate beets.

But If Delmonico cooks it,
it must be good.

After reading this to My Lovely Spousal Unit, I was commanded to archive and send this to
She Who Must Be Obeyed.

As you may surmise, I  have puzzled out the mystery to maintaining the Domestic Tranquility.
The added advantage is that I get to taste more of Del's delicious recipes as interpreted by TLSU

yhs
prof (hungry) marvel

[Major 2]

OH the memories 
I have not enjoyed hash in many, many years, not sent Mom passed 20 years ago 
She made it for my Granddad which was his favorite meal.
Granddad who passed 50 years ago, was just giddy gleeful when Mom made Pot Roast , not for the roast but what he knew was coming the next day.
He would watch carefully, and with some scorn if we ate to much Beef , saying "there won't be enough for hash".

Hash & skillet corn bread WOW what a treat 

Thanks Del for the look back 

[Texas Lawdog]

Del makes good use of what items he has around the camp. The Red Flannel hash is a good esample of that. The Cowboy cheesesteaks are another item he came up with. We even came up with pizza made in the dutch oven.

[Delmonico]

Normally (and for the reasons previously stated by Del) I hate beets.

But If Delmonico cooks it,
it must be good.

If I had a dollar for every time someone hated something but tried a dish I made with it, I'd have a lot of dollars.  I mentioned somewhere else I had bought two cans of beets in my life, sampled and dumped on to them, shot the other one with a 243.

[Mogorilla]

I was a long hater of beets.  My folks had a big garden and mom loved beets of all varieties.   So that all will know even an old dog can learn a new trick. After 44 years on the planet, I ate a beet.   My wife loves beets and we tossed some seeds about.   We harvested them and I had heard of red flannel hash.   I did just as Del, equal parts potato, beet, onion, garlic and some bacon.   Served it with cornbread and an over easy egg.  I was flabergasted, this was  (cue the music)  Good Eats!    That was 2 years ago.  We did not get near as many beets due to the drought, but I have branched out and eaten them in a variety of ways.  (Wife is partial to roasted beets, goat cheese and arugala, toss some walnuts on mine and no complaints!).   I also have made a red flannel German Potato salad.   I highly promote that as well!

[Leo Tanner]

I love hash, I do like Major's grandad did and monitor the servings on St Patty's day.  There has to be enough left over for Ruebens AND hash.

I like picked beets on a salad but we can our own an my wife has the brine just right.  My grandad did the same an called them pickalillies for some reason.

[Camille Eonich]

This looks good!  I have heard that roasted beets are quite tasty too. 

[litl rooster]

Beets have one purpose.  Compost.  Period.

that's not so. Dried and chopped up are a good alternative feed for horses and cattle.



Del I am like Mossyoak, but the picture make them look pretty tasty and would try it also.

[Delmonico]

that's not so. Dried and chopped up are a good alternative feed for horses and cattle.



Del I am like Mossyoak, but the picture make them look pretty tasty and would try it also.

Mostly those are a different type of beet. 

BTW if you don't like beets don't be eating sugar, most of it comes from beets.

[Leo Tanner]

My eyes may have failed me but I didn't see nuthin bout fried eggs on this hash.  Seems they would marry up real well.

[Delmonico]

My eyes may have failed me but I didn't see nuthin bout fried eggs on this hash.  Seems they would marry up real well.

Could of, didn't.

[Mogorilla]

I mentioned an egg in my post.  Did go well with the dish.  Now I am hungry.

[Delmonico]

I'm still trying to remember who's arm and foot are in the picture.

[Stu Kettle]

I'm still trying to remember who's arm and foot are in the picture.

I think it's Drydock.  I know the hash was delicious.

[Delmonico]

I think it's Drydock. 

I think you are right.

[G.W. Strong]

This is one of the best foods I have ever eaten. Thanks Del!

[Buffalo Creek Law Dog]

Beets have one purpose.  Compost.  Period.

I totally agree.

[G.W. Strong]

I think it's Drydock.  I know the hash was delicious.

100% Drydock