You can’t Beet Borshch

I love having the chance to try an iconic local food when I’m travelling, don’t you?  Most recently Borshch is that food, and wow did I enjoy it on a trip to the Ukraine.  

While visiting Kiev I tried it for the first time on the night we arrived, and that left me wanting more.  I enjoyed a bowl of borshch nearly every day in Kiev and was pleased to find some when we returned to Brno.

Borshch, also spelled boršč or borscht, is the beet soup of Slavic countries. While it is important in Russian and Polish cuisines, Ukraine is often cited as its place of origin.  Even if you don’t like beet root prepared in other ways, I think you will like borshch.

The broth-based soup has many variations, but most contain beet root giving it a beautiful red color.  It is typically made by combining meat and broth with sautéed vegetables, which usually include beets, cabbage, carrots, onions, potatoes and tomatoes. Some of the vegetables are grated or cut into strips before cooking which produces a hearty texture for the soup.  In addition to vegetables, borshch often includes beans and meat or fish. I enjoyed a small pork rib served in my first bowl, and some beef in another.

It has a distinctive, sweet and tangy taste that results from the beets and vinegar, dill, garlic, tomato paste, and other seasonings added during cooking.  Borshch is served with a dollop of sour cream which is usually mixed in before taking your first spoonful.

There are many national and regional varieties of borshch including white and green that can be served hot or cold depending on the season, which makes it interesting to try as you travel in Europe and Russia.  In Kiev, the red borshch was served hot with bread, either pampushki, small yeast rolls served with garlic sauce, or a hearty slice of dark brown bread with lard.

So, I hope you are ready to enjoy some, and I have good news, you don’t need to leave Brno to find a great bowl of borshch.  Local ethnic restaurants with borshch on the menu include Samovar and Tryzub. If you prefer to make it yourself, I’ve included a recipe here.  

Nutritionally, red borshch is a great choice because it contains a variety of vegetables and beans.  It is low in calories, and with plenty of beets, cabbage and beans it contains a good amount of fiber, vitamins B & C and potassium.  When you enjoy it with some whole grain bread you have a healthy combination.

I hope you will beet the crowd and let me know where you find good borshch in and around Brno!

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Victoria Hawk is an American Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with more than 15 years of clinical and research experience.  She is living in Brno with her husband Jon, who is working here on an expat assignment. Victoria enjoys learning about local foods and plans to share her experience through this blog series.