Elisabeth’s grandparents were Ukrainian, and I think borscht was one of her favorite soups to make. Every time I make or eat borscht I think of my friend and the discovery of how good a soup made primarily of beets can be. The wind is howling outside, if any leaves remain on the trees, they are sure to come down today. Here is a wonderfully satisfying beet borscht, perfect for a cold weather day. Although the beet version is the most well known, it doesn’t have to be made with beets. Borscht was a winter soup, often made with sour flavors and topped with a dollop of sour cream. It was usually made by combining meat or bone stock with sautéed or boiled vegetables. Popular ingredients may include cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes and/or tomatoes. Sometimes it’s puréed; sometimes it’s not. Sometimes there’s meat; sometimes there’s not. The name of the ancient tart soup is now more associated with the beet-red soup of today. If you want to recreate that traditional tartness, you can serve with lemon wedges on the side or add more vinegar, to taste.
How to Peel and Cut Beets
Dealing with beets can be a messy affair. Put on some food-safe gloves before tackling your root if you don’t want to stain your hands, but the color will wash out in a few hours. With a sharp, sturdy knife, cut off and discard the stubby stems on top. Using a vegetable peeler or paring knife, remove the peel like you would a potato or other root vegetable. Then, place your beet on a cutting board, and cut in half. Place the flat sides down and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Did your beets come with greens? You can cook them! Wash and stem them and add them to the soup in the final 5 minutes of cooking. Or try them in a recipe of their own.
Roast the Vegetables for Deeper Flavor
This recipe calls for roasting the root vegetables before simmering in the soup. Why? Because roasting converts some of the starch in your root vegetables into sugars, bringing out more of the sweetness. Also, a little char on the vegetables can add a bit of smokiness and an extra depth of flavor to your soup.
How to Store and Freeze Borscht
Borscht can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days. If you plan on freezing it, portion it out into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of headspace for expansion. Borscht will keep in the freezer for about 2 months. Just be sure to defrost it in the fridge at least a day before you plan to serve it again.
Bread Recipes to Serve with Borscht
Homemade Rye Bread No Knead Bread Whole Wheat Bread Homemade Potato Bread
More Soup Recipes for a Cold Day!
Kale and Roasted Vegetable Soup French Onion Soup Minestrone Soup One-Pot Chicken and Rice Soup Baked Potato Soup
Add the chopped onions to the pot. Let the onions cook and soften, about 5 minutes. Peel and chop the beets, carrots, and potatoes into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss the beets and carrots with a teaspoon or two of olive oil and spread them out in a single layer on a foil lined roasting pan. Roast in preheated oven for 15 minutes. Toss the potatoes with olive oil and make room for them in the roasting pan, and roast everything an additional 15 minutes. Add the vinegar and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. (I use about 2 teaspoons of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper, but the amount you use will depend on how salty your beef broth is to begin with.) The soup is best made a day ahead. (The longer the soup sits, the more it will all turn the deep red color of beets.) Serve ladled into bowls with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of fresh dill.
