Your Dietitian: Making borscht to show solidarity with Ukraine (2024)

FAQs

What does borscht symbolize for Ukraine? ›

In Ukraine, borsch has long been considered a symbol of a strong family: all the ingredients are cooked in a clay pot, transferring their flavors to each other, and as a result become one whole – a rich, hearty, and dense borsch. In days of old, borsch was eaten almost every day, served on holidays and at weddings.

Whether as part of a wedding meal, the focus of food-related competitions or as a driver of tourism, borscht is considered part of the fabric of Ukrainian society, cultural heritage, identity and tradition.

Borscht contains three good sources of vitamin C: beets, cabbage and potatoes. Eating foods high in vitamin C along with nitrate-rich foods increases the production of nitric oxide. Borscht also contains garlic. Interestingly, garlic increases the amount of nitric oxide absorbed by the body.

As a ritual dish

Borscht is often associated with its role in religious traditions of various denominations (Eastern Orthodox, Greek and Roman Catholic, and Jewish) that are common in Eastern Europe. In East Slavic countries, "memorial borscht" is served as the first course at a post-funeral wake.

The name 'borscht' comes from the Old Slavonic 'borsht', meaning 'hogweed', an ingredient in the soup's earliest recipes. The Ukrainian version of borscht, distinguished by its use of red beetroots, cabbage, potatoes, meat or bone stock, and a variety of other vegetables and seasonings, is particularly renowned.

The stock starter is often mixed, whether it's with cured sausage, poultry, or vegetables. Texturally, Russian borscht often leans into thinner consistency, unlike the Ukrainian version. Vegetables, like cabbage, are added at the beginning of preparation, lending a softer result as opposed to the Ukrainian version.

The trident, or “tryzub,” remains one of Ukraine's most iconic symbols. Shaped like a spear with three prongs, its history goes back centuries. Volodymyr the Great, one of Ukraine's most revered figures, included the symbol on coins when he ruled Kyiv from 980 to 1015.

This gorgeous looking soup is packed with flavour and nutrition. Beets are great to support the liver, bone broth is healing and nourishing for the gut, and turmeric brings in its anti-inflammatory goodness.

Who normally eats borscht? ›

Borscht is one of the most well-known Ukrainian meals – a traditional, hearty soup with multiple layers of ingredients held together by a savory beet broth. To make borsht the traditional way, it takes hours to simmer all the ingredients properly.

Borscht is a beet soup that's warm, sweet, and sour all in one bowl. It has the umami and complexity of a well-developed chicken soup but the beets add a whole different flavor profile.

Borscht is healthy but should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Borscht is one of many examples of a dish that took on Jewish significance because of immigration. The tart and tangy, ruby-hued, beet-based soup is considered the national dish of Ukraine, and has been enjoyed by non-Jewish and Jewish Ukrainians alike for generations.

Borscht is a classic beet soup that's so comforting and delicious.

Swallow is a symbol of well-being, happiness, marriage consent, spring and nature rebirth. It is also a symbol of motherhood. Nightingale is a symbol of love to song. Stork is a favorite bird of Ukrainians.

The national dish of Ukraine is red borscht, a well-known beet soup, of which many varieties exist. However, varenyky (boiled dumplings similar to pierogi) and a type of cabbage roll known as holubtsi are also national favourites, and are a common meal in traditional Ukrainian restaurants.

Motankas (Мотанка) are ancient Ukrainian family talismans. They are the symbol of prosperity, goodness and hope. Then first knotted dolls appeared about 5,000 years ago, and represented the unity of the family and deep connection between multiple generations.

The significance of the trident among the Ukrainian population is threefold: it is also a symbol of state power, i.e., the state coat of arms; national sign and religious symbol.