Authentic Polish Pickle Soup (Zupa Ogórkowa)

Ingredients

• 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 parsnips, peeled and chopped
• 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1.5 cups sour dill pickles, grated or finely chopped
• 1/4 cup pickle juice
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup heavy cream or sour cream
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 allspice berries
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh dill, chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. 1.Sauté Vegetables

   In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and parsnips and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until softened.

2. 2.Add Broth and Spices

   Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Add the bay leaves and allspice berries. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. 3.Add Potatoes

   Add the cubed potatoes to the pot and cook for another 10 minutes, or until they are tender.

4. 4.Incorporate Pickles

   Stir in the grated or chopped pickles and pickle juice. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.

5. 5.Creamy Finish

   Remove the soup from the heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream or sour cream with a tablespoon of the hot soup broth. Gradually add the cream mixture to the soup, stirring constantly to prevent curdling.

6. 6.Season and Serve

   Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the bay leaves and allspice berries before serving. Garnish with fresh dill before serving.

Nutritional Information

Equipment

• Large pot or Dutch oven
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Grater or food processor (optional)
• Small bowl
• Whisk

Tips

• Use good quality sour dill pickles for the best flavor. Polish-style pickles are ideal.
• Adjust the amount of pickle juice to your liking, depending on how sour you prefer the soup.
• For a richer flavor, use homemade chicken broth.
• Be careful not to boil the soup after adding the cream, as it can cause it to curdle.
• If you don't have parsnips, you can substitute with more carrots or celery root.

Frequently Asked Questions