Call it what you want …
it's about food and people ...
and community

Call it a potluck, pitch-in, bring-a-dish supper, carry-in, faith supper, clambake, or covered-dish supper: the underlying theme is the same: food and people … in community. It‘s the idea that each person brings a dish of food to share with the community. After all, Disciples already have a pretty good idea what it means to gather around the table in Communion … we've been doing that for nearly 200 years.

Vegetable Borscht

2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 1/2 cups sliced potatoes
1 cup sliced beets
1 large sliced carrot
3 cups chopped cabbage
1 teaspoon Caraway seeds
4 cups water
2 teaspoons salt
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dill
1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon honey
1 cup tomato puree

Place potatoes, beets, and water in saucepan and cook until tender.
Cook onions in butter. Add Caraway seeds and salt. Cook until onions are translucent, then add carrots and cabbage. Add water from potatoes and beets and cook until vegetables are tender.

Add potatoes, beets, and seasonings. Simmer for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Serve hot topped with a generous dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt.

This recipe is submitted by Angela Herrmann. Herrmann, director of Web site development, is an Indiana native and member of Central Christian Church, Indianapolis.

From Angie: For the vegetarian who loves root vegetables and cabbage, this recipe for vegetable borscht is among the best I've found. Traditionally an eastern European dish, beets give this hearty stew its characteristic rosy color. Instead of tomato puree, I substitute a pint jar of home-canned tomatoes. This dish makes a great addition to any church dinner or pitch-in.