WINTER BORSCHT

Winter Borscht image

Vushka are plump mushroom-and onion-filled dumplings resembling tortellini. "Vushka" means little ears in Ukrainian, and with their curvy whorls, that's just what they look like, especially when they turn bright red in a bowl of this Christmas borscht served during Sviata Vecheria, the traditional 12-dish Ukrainian dinner that is meatless and dairy-free. The East Village restaurant Veselka serves the meal from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories dinner, lunch, one pot, soups and stews, appetizer, main course, side dish

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

2 pounds beets, trimmed and scrubbed (do not peel)
3/4 cup white vinegar
1 carrot, peeled and diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 small onion, diced
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 bay leaves
5 whole allspice berries
1 tablespoon sugar, more to taste
1 garlic clove, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
Salt
Mushroom and onion dumplings (vushka) (optional, see recipe)
Chopped dill, for garnish

Steps:

Coarsely chop beets, preferably in a food processor. In a medium pot, combine beets, 4 cups water and vinegar; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until beets are soft, about 45 minutes. Strain and set juice aside. (Beets can be used for another purpose, like salad.)
Meanwhile, in a deep pot, combine carrot, celery, onion, stock, bay leaves and allspice; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes. Strain and discard aromatics and vegetables.
Combine strained stock and beet juice and simmer 5 minutes. Add sugar, garlic and black pepper. Season to taste with sugar and salt. Serve with dumplings, if desired, and sprinkle with dill.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 115, UnsaturatedFat 1 gram, Carbohydrate 20 grams, Fat 2 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 0 grams, Sodium 653 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams