Pickled Beets with Horseradish (Ukrainian Style)
Ukrainian and southern Russian tradition — pickled beets with horseradish, called "khrin" when it is mostly horseradish and "svekla s khrenom" when it is mostly beet. Either way, a jar of it on the table transforms a plain potato, a slice of bread, a bowl of borshch.
Beet season is early fall. A large batch made in October sees you through the entire Great Lent. Ferociously pink, electrifyingly sharp, utterly unapologetic.
NUTRITION (per 1/2 cup)
- Protein: ~2g
- Calories: ~50
- Significant folate, manganese, potassium, and nitrates
- Beet nitrates may improve blood flow and exercise performance — useful during Lent
INGREDIENTS (fills two 500ml jars)
- 1 kg (2 lbs) beets
- 1 cup grated fresh horseradish root (or 1/2 cup prepared horseradish if you cannot find fresh)
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp black peppercorns
- 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional)
For the brine:
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup white or apple cider vinegar
METHOD
1. Wash beets thoroughly. Do not peel. Cover with cold water in a pot and boil for 45-60 minutes until a knife goes through easily.
2. Drain and run under cold water. The skins will slip off in your hands — wear gloves if you do not want pink fingers.
3. Slice the peeled beets into 1cm rounds or cut into 2cm cubes.
4. Pack the beet pieces into clean jars, distributing the horseradish, garlic, and spices throughout.
5. Combine vinegar, water, salt, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil.
6. Pour the hot brine over the beets. Submerge completely.
7. Cool, seal, and refrigerate. Wait 3 days before eating. Peak at 2 weeks.
USES
- As a condiment alongside potato dishes
- Stirred into borshch just before serving (traditional)
- On a Lenten sandwich with mustard and raw onion
- Alongside boiled potatoes with dill
- As zakuska with black bread
NOTES
Fresh horseradish is significantly sharper than prepared. If you cannot find it, 1/4 cup wasabi paste (Japanese horseradish) can substitute — not traditional, but gives the same sinus-clearing effect.
Keeps 3 months in the fridge.