Every spring since 1988, for the past 37 years, my mother has asked me:
"Are you coming this summer? You know the pool will be open and I will make you cold borscht. You know, the one with beets and potatoes and sour cream. Your favorite."
Every year I answered that I would try and every year I made it.
Sadly, this year there will be no cold borscht waiting for me. Mama, Goldie Kassen nee Melamede (Melamed) z"l passed away in the early hours of the morning May 13, 2023. It has only been a little over a month and it seems an eternity. She was in her 102nd year. A remarkable woman in every way. She was independent. She lived alone. She was active and in her right mind and still baking and cooking to the last moment. In the bread bowl I found 12 cups of flour measured out for the next batch.
I am lost. No surprise. Don't feel like doing much. But yesterday when I went to the shuk they had fresh beets with greens. Mom was speaking to me. I bought two bunches and today I made the soup.
It is now cooling in the fridge for tonight's dinner.
This recipe was posted 3 years ago in 2020. It still works!
BT's Version of Goldie's Cold Borscht
Ingredients:
2 bunches new beets with green tops
3 eggs
1 cup (250 grams) sour cream
1/2 cup (120 ml) lemon juice
1/2 cup (120 grams) sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 large potato (optional)
Directions:
Remove any wilted leaves
Wash vegetables thoroughly
Peel and cut beets in eighths
Rough chop greens and stems
Dice potato if using
Put beets and greens into soup pot
Add cold water - about 3/4 the height of the beets in pot.
Cook on medium low flame for 30 minutes
Add potatoes and cook another 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender - about 45 minutes in total
Remove from heat
In a large bowl, beat eggs with sugar and salt. Add sour cream. Incorporate. Add lemon juice and mix
Add liquid from borscht, 1/2 cup (120 ml) at a time and incorporate. This tempers the egg
When all liquid is incorporated, refrigerate for several hours
Serve cold with dill and more sour cream.
Enjoy! !בתיאבון
Bub is in every bite.