What are czwikli? Preparing the classic Easter table

Chopped beets are a dish with Slavic-Austrian roots, popular in Galicia, Poland, and partially in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Most often, chopped beets refer to grated boiled beets, seasoned with horseradish (sometimes with the addition of vinegar, sugar, salt, and oil). This is a simple but very expressive appetizer with a sharp-sweet taste. Typically, they (the word is used in the plural) are prepared before Easter, as chopped beets perfectly complement the taste of cold cuts, homemade sausages, and aspic.

The word comes from the Polish word ćwikła, and the name of the dish is derived from the phrase ćwikła z chrzanem, which means beets with horseradish. In Ukraine, due to dialectal influences and the impact of Galician cuisine, the word transformed into chopped beets.

In Poland, chopped beets are often prepared sweeter, while in Galicia, they prefer spicier versions with a dominance of horseradish. Some housewives also add grated apple for a fresher taste.

Thus, the word chopped beets is indeed the plural form. And “chopped beet” is the singular, although in practice only the plural is used, as the dish is always served by portion, not by piece.In Ukraine, this word has mainly taken root in the west, while the dish has become an element of festive tables across the country. But let’s leave the historical excursion and move on to the recipe.

We boil the beets until fully cooked, then cool them down. We chose very small beets, as they cook faster and are generally sweeter. Beets can also be baked in the oven, wrapped in foil.We peel the horseradish root. We peel the beets.

We chose a ratio of beets to horseradish of 1:5. In our subjective opinion, this is the most optimal ratio of spiciness, acidity, and sweetness. If you want a spicier taste - increase the amount of horseradish. For a sweeter and less spicy version – add more beets. For a more sour taste – add more vinegar.When my grandfather prepared chopped beets, it was strange and funny for me to watch him grind them using a Soviet meat grinder with dull blades, sitting in… a gas mask!!! However, when I faced the preparation of chopped beets myself, I regretted not having that device. Freshly grated horseradish irritates the eyes extremely strongly!And it is also very hard to grate. We have a food processor, but the "grater" attachment couldn't handle it. This devilish root could only be grated with the meat grinder at practically maximum speed.Similarly, we grind the beets using the meat grinder. We add salt, pepper, and vinegar, and balance to the desired taste. Chopped beets are ready!

It pairs well with homemade smoked sausage, bacon, and lard. We wrote about how to make smoked delicacies at home here.

Enjoy your meal!