a day in the life of a latvian mom

As the days grow shorter and the garden veggies ripen, it’s the perfect time to start canning! You can read about my first experience with water bath canning. There’s something incredibly comforting about having a homemade soup base on hand. With a busy work schedule and limited time to cook during the day, I decided to ensure my family is well-fed with hearty, nutritious meals by preparing a batch of beetroot soup base. This recipe not only warms the soul but also brings a touch of nostalgia and love into our kitchen.

A Soup Base for Winter Comfort

My girls absolutely adore beetroot soup. However, I wanted to make things easier for myself during the busy days. So, I decided to prepare a beetroot soup base in advance. This base will then be added to the broth made from smoked pork ribs, along with potatoes.

Ingredients from the Heart of Our Garden

The best part of this soup base is that every ingredient comes from my inlaws garden. Their vegetables are ecologically grown, and there’s something incredibly satisfying about cooking with produce that is as fresh and pure as possible. This year I grow my own zucchini 🙂

The recipe I’m using is passed down from my mom. I can’t believe she’s 71 this year!

I cook mine in 15liter pot which will reduce to about 7 liters .

Ingredients

• 1.2 kg shredded zucchini or cucumbers
• 1.2 kg shredded cabbage
• 1.2 kg shredded carrots
• 1.2 kg onions finely chopped
• 1.2 kg shredded boiled beets
• 2 cups oil
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp 70% vinegar essence
• 2 tbsp salt

Directions

1. Add all ingredients except the beetroots and vinegar to the pot and cook for 20 minutes.
2. Stir in the beetroots and continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes.
3. Turn off the heat, then add the vinegar and mix thoroughly. Ladle the mixture into jars and seal them tightly.
4. Cover the jars with thick blankets and let them cool down overnight.

Turning the Base into a Hearty Soup

When you’re ready to enjoy your soup, simply open a jar of the beetroot base, pour it into a pot, and add some smoked meat and potatoes. Let it simmer until everything is cooked through and the flavors have melded together beautifully.

This beetroot soup base is more than just a convenience; it’s a reflection of the love and care put into growing the ingredients and preserving them. It’s a way to bring a bit of summer into the winter months and ensure that my family always has a nourishing meal ready to go.

As the snow falls and the nights grow longer, I’ll be thankful for these jars of beetroot soup base that keep our home warm and our bellies full. Here’s to a cozy and delicious winter!

Enjoy,

Ilze