There was missing a one traditional, Lithuanian cuisine recipe - cold beet soup called šaltibarščiai. It is impossible to imagine a hot summer without this soup in Lithuania. Usually, if you start making cold beet soup it means the summer is around the corner, or the weather is warm enough that your body starts askaing for a cold beet soup (of course, it’s only for Lithuanians). Cold beet soup is probably made in every Lithuanian kitchen in their own way but the essence of the recipe is always the same - kefir (or buttermilk), beetroots, cucumbers, onion greens and dill. Of course, cold beet soup is always served with a hard boiled egg and some hot potatoes (boiled or fried).
To all Lithuanians, the cold beet soup cult is well-known from the childhood but to most foreigners this soup looks very interesting. Usually, it’s incomprehensible why this soup is eaten cold, why is the color so pink or why the soup is made from kefir..? Well, and other similar questions are always asked… But of course, cold beet soup can be liked or disliked only after you try it. So this is your chance now! 🙂
Janne PETERSSON
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