Beet spread

Ukrainian cuisine, beets, mushrooms, hutsulska cuisine, Christmas dinner, 12 dishes at Christmas dinner, Eastern European cuisine

If you’ve heard that beets are healthy but don’t know how to make them into a tasty meal, this Roasted Beet Spread recipe (known as Shuhy in Ukrainian) is for you. The roasted beets spread is a healthy and delicious vegetarian addition to your menu and is a breeze to make.

The Shuhy recipe originates in Western Ukraine and has gained popularity for its delicious taste, affordability, and simple preparation method. All you need to have to make Shuhy are beets, onions, garlic, and mushrooms. From all the variations of this Ukrainian recipe, we have selected the one that is the most piquant and also includes red pepper and tomatoes, which complement the sweet beets and add zest to the spread. If you have dried mushrooms, go with them – they will give the beetroot spread a richer flavor. We used fresh brown mushrooms in our recipe as they are generally more available and affordable. The video below illustrates a slightly different version of this recipe – without sweet red peppers. We prepared this recipe with very simple equipment and ingredients. Feel free to watch it before cooking:

You can prepare the Ukrainian beet spread any time of the year; however, it’s best in the fall or winter, when the beets are sweet and very juicy. In the original recipe of Shuhy, Ukrainians used precooked beets. To save time and preserve the nutritional value of the beets, we will use raw beets and roast them with other vegetables. Try this new dish and maybe it will become one of your favourite appetizers or vegetable sandwich spreads!

If you are interested in learning more about the roots of Ukrainian cuisine and other ancient dishes, please check out our page on Ukrainian Culinary Traditions, which is dedicated to exploring the rich history of Ukrainian food.

Ingredients beet spread

Beet spread

Shuhy - Ukrainian Roasted Beet Spread

This Roasted Beet Spread with mushrooms and tomato paste is a delicious and healthy appetizer that is perfect for any occasion. The recipe starts with roasting beets until they are tender, then blending them with sautéed mushrooms, onions, and tomato paste. This spread is sure to impress your guests with its vibrant color and rich taste.
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 1 hr
Course Appetizer, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Ukrainian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 6 sweet beets raw
  • 6 brown mushrooms can be replaced with shiitake or portobello
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 2 onions
  • 5 cloves of garlic
  • 7 tbsp tomato paste or you can use fresh tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tspn black pepper
  • ½ tspn salt

Instructions
 

Method of Preparation:

  • Peel the beets and then slice them finely in a food processor (or just grate them).
  • Chop mushrooms, onions, and red pepper. Grate the garlic cloves.
  • Warm up the skillet, put 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, reduce the heat to medium and add mushrooms. Fry them for about 5-8 minutes, strain excess water, and put the fried mushrooms aside in a bowl.1
    frying vegetables for beet spread
  • Add 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil to the skillet, add onion and fry it until it becomes golden.
  • Add red pepper to the onion, and saute for another 3-5 minutes.
  • Add the grated beets, mix well with the vegetables, and sprinkle them with paprika. Cover the vegetables with the lid and simmer them for 8-10 minutes.
  • Stir in the fried mushrooms, tomato paste and garlic to the vegetables. Mix well and simmer all for 10 minutes.
  • Add salt and black pepper to taste, stir the vegetables again, cover them with the lid and let the mixture sit on a small fire for 20 minutes.
  • Taste if the spread is ready. The beats should not be super soft — they should be cooked, but still a bit crispy.
  • Serve the dish warm or cold.

Bon appetit!

    Notes

    Tip: Cook on two skillets to reduce the preparation time.
    Keyword beet salad vegan, beets, beets with mushrooms, roasted beet salad, Ukrainian cuisine, Ukrainian traditions

    Are Beets Healthy?

    Yes, beets have several very important health benefits. They are a great source of vitamin C and valuable minerals, such as iron, magnesium, potassium, and folic acid. Adding beets to your menu will boost your immune system and stamina. They are also low in calories.

    How to Cook Beets?

    Beets are a versatile and nutritious vegetable that can be cooked in a variety of ways. To cook beets, start by washing them thoroughly and trimming the ends. You can cook beets by boiling, roasting, frying, steaming or grilling them until they are tender. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the beets. In this Ukrainian Roasted Beet Spread recipe, we have roasted raw beets with other vegetables in a skillet.

    How to Serve the Roasted Beet Spread?

    Serve the beet spread warm or cold –  it’s delicious both ways! Whether you spread it on crackers, bread, or vegetables, it’s sure to be a hit.You can also use it as a side dish for meat, eggs, or fish, or just as a beet sandwich spread.

    What are Other Ukrainian Beetroot Dishes?

    Other Ukrainian beetroot dishes include borscht, beet salad with prunes, walnuts and mayonnaise, vinaigrette, beetroot stew, fermented beetroot kvass. Beets (buriak) are popular in Ukrainian cuisine because they are very affordable, healthy, delicious and easy to cook. If you like this healthy vegetable, please check out our recipe for Beet Salad with Prunes and Walnuts.

    Ukrainian Roasted Beet Spread: Conclusion

    We hope you have enjoyed this recipe for Ukrainian Beet spread, a delicious and healthy spread that is perfect for snacking or entertaining. Please do not hesitate to add your comment and share your thoughts with us and other readers and come back for more Ukrainian-inspired dishes in the future!

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