Cabbage Soup
Ștefan Baciu, 12.03.2017, 14:53
Around this time of the year, Romanians go into Lent, a 40 day period during which Orthodox Christians are forbidden to eat meat or dairy, with very few exceptions. After a long winter with many days with very cold weather, which delays the appearance of fresh vegetables on the market, people used to resort to popular pantry food such as sauerkraut, potatoes or dried beans.
One simple solution for Lent is sauerkraut soup, simple or containing other vegetables as well. You need a head of sauerkraut of about 2 kg, two onions, 2 or 3 carrots, and tomato paste. It is not complicated to make, but it takes a few hours, because the cabbage core has to boil very well. Wash the sauerkraut in cold water, then cut into smaller pieces, and simmer for 2 or 3 hours. Cut the onion julienne, adding it to the pot, along with the sliced carrots. You can also add a parsnip, finely chopped, then add tomato juice or tomato paste. After that, simmer for another hour before serving. Optionally, you can add a few cubed potatoes.
Another good soup combination we have sauerkraut and mushrooms. Use equal quantities of sauerkraut and mushrooms, about half a kilogram each, two onions, two carrots, and tomato paste. Chop the vegetables and sautee them, then add about two liters of water, and boil for about half an hour. Add two or three tablespoons of tomato paste, salt to taste, and boil for a few more minutes. At the end, turn off the heat and add chopped fresh parsley, then cover. Serve hot with green or red onion.
There is one other recipe, where we use less sauerkraut and more mushrooms. We need a small head of sauerkraut, which we shred, two or three carrots, two onions, two small celery roots, and about 15 mushrooms. Slice the mushrooms finely, sautee them in oil, then add water. Cut the onion julienne, and chop finely the carrot and celery, setting them to boil with the sauerkraut and mushrooms. After about half an hour, add salt if needed, turn off the heat, then add chopped fresh parsley.
