The Flash Speaks

I live a few miles down the road from this place and every summer they have a sign up and I did not know what they were selling. I do now.

At first I thought it was a hat (like a beanie hat) or special stick or something. Well this is what they are selling:

IBeetniks (Beet Leaves and Dough) A favorite Ukrainian dish. You take fresh made bread, wrap it in beet leaves to make tiny dumplings and then soak them in a dill cream sauce.

I have never tasted a Beetnik but if you ask someone in the Ukrainian culture they will happily share what they are and how delicious a treat to enjoy.

I live in a very Ukrainian community and my mother is Ukrainian but she never raised us in Ukrainian traditions.

• a loaf of bread dough (frozen or from bread maker)
• 2 large bunches of beets with tops
• some butter
• some onion
• some dill
• 1 cup of cream

Here is the full recipe

• Cut tops off beets. Remove stems and thick ridges. Save beetroot for another use.
• Wash and dry leaves- If leaves are mature, wilt slightly for easier handling by scalding with hot water,Cool and dry.
• Grease a round roaster or large casserole dish, or line with parchment paper.
• Cut off small pieces of thawed bread dough (about the size of a walnut) and wrap each in a beet leaf, rolling loosely. If leaves are very small, use 2 or 3 per bun.
• Place buns in layers, filling roaster half full. Sprinkle each layer with salt and drizzle with butter or oil.
• Top with a layer of leaves, cover, and let rise in a warm place until double in bulk (1 – 1 1/2 hours).
• Bake, uncovered, in pre-heated oven at 350F for one hour.

I am going to stop in and try some!