AuthorChrisCategoryPolish cuisine, Polish Easter Dishes, Starter and SidesDifficultyBeginnerPolish Beet and Horseradish Relish (Ćwikła) is a dish I cannot get enough of. Made with finely grated beets and horseradish with just a hint of sweet and sour, this relish goes great with meat, sausage, and hard-boiled eggs. While often served in Poland at Easter, I make it year-round and serve it as a spicy side dish with pork chops and mashed potatoes.
Give this recipe a try as an easy way to add a Polish twist to your Easter breakfast or any regular meat and potato dinner.
Smacznego to you!
First, boil or roast the beets until tender. Peel and grate as fine as you can.
Next, set the grated beets aside in a bowl or strainer to allow any excess liquid to come out.
While the beets are waiting, mix up the grated horseradish, vinegar, salt, sugar, and cumin or caraway. Cumin is spicier, caraway is milder - both are optional.
Finally, combine the beets and the seasoned horseradish. Give it a taste and adjust the sweet and the sour to your liking.
Cooking beets is messy so protect your clothes and any porous surfaces in your kitchen. Grating beets can turn your hands red, so consider wearing rubber gloves.
Buy already cooked beets if you are pressed for time,
Add some lemon zest to your Ćwikła if you want to try something new. Lemon zest adds flavor and looks nice as well.
Polish Beet and Horseradish Relish (Ćwikła) in a nice jar is a perfect gift if you are invited to someone's home for Easter.
Check out some more Polish recipes below.
Enjoy!
Polish Horseradish Sauce (Sos Chrzanowy)
Pickled Eggs Recipe for Easter
Polish Vegetable Salad (Sałatka Jarzynowa)
Ingredients
Directions
First, boil or roast the beets until tender. Peel and grate as fine as you can.
Next, set the grated beets aside in a bowl or strainer to allow any excess liquid to come out.
While the beets are waiting, mix up the grated horseradish, vinegar, salt, sugar, and cumin or caraway. Cumin is spicier, caraway is milder - both are optional.
Finally, combine the beets and the seasoned horseradish. Give it a taste and adjust the sweet and the sour to your liking.
Cooking beets is messy so protect your clothes and any porous surfaces in your kitchen. Grating beets can turn your hands red, so consider wearing rubber gloves.
Buy already cooked beets if you are pressed for time,
Add some lemon zest to your Ćwikła if you want to try something new. Lemon zest adds flavor and looks nice as well.
Polish Beet and Horseradish Relish (Ćwikła) in a nice jar is a perfect gift if you are invited to someone's home for Easter.
Check out some more Polish recipes below.
Enjoy!
2 Comments
Rachael
April 4, 2023 at 6:28 pmI want to make this recipe but I have a lot of horseradish. Could this be processed in the jar? And/Or how long will this last in the refridgerator?
Chris
April 5, 2023 at 5:43 amThis year I added a lot of horseradish. I just peeled the horseradish and popped it right in the jar. I use hot beet/water mix straight from the pot, close the jars, and then turn them upside down to seal. I keep them for weeks, unopened in the fridge.