Polish Ćwikła: Grated Horseradish With Beets

By
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek
Barbara Rolek is a former chef who became a cooking school instructor and award-winning food writer.
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Updated on 04/26/21
Beet Horseradish Condiment

 Miri Rotkovitz
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 3 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
148 Calories
1g Fat
34g Carbs
4g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3
Amount per serving
Calories 148
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 965mg 42%
Total Carbohydrate 34g 12%
Dietary Fiber 8g 30%
Total Sugars 26g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 45mg 226%
Calcium 115mg 9%
Iron 2mg 10%
Potassium 856mg 18%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Ćwikła (CHEEK-wah) is a popular condiment in Poland. This no-cook recipe combines grated horseradish with beets to create a colorful dish with a bit of sweetness as well as a touch of heat. Ćwikła is the perfect accompaniment for Polish sausage and ham and is an indispensable condiment at Easter time.

The ratio of horseradish to beets is generally 1 to 3, giving this dish a more mild taste compared to other horseradish condiments. You can use purchased horseradish in this recipe, but if you do get your hands on some horseradish root, try grating it yourself; just make sure the kitchen is well ventilated. This recipe provides canned and jarred alternatives, but it will taste best with fresh ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar

  • 2 cups grated fresh horseradish, or store-bought horseradish

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1 pound beets, cooked, peeled, cooled, and grated

Steps to Make It

  1. In a large bowl, mix vinegar, brown sugar, horseradish, and salt until well combined.

  2. Add grated beets and mix thoroughly.

  3. Pack into clean sterilized jars and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

  4. Serve warm or cold, although cold is more traditional.

Know Your Condiments

  • Typically condiments, like mustard, ketchup, mayonnaise, soy sauce, barbecue sauce, relish, salt, and pepper, are not eaten on their own. Their purpose is to add increased flavor or even to introduce a new contrasting flavor to foods. Sometimes they are incorporated into the ingredients of a recipe and sometimes they are served alongside a cooked dish.
  • A well-stocked pantry would include, at the very least, barbecue sauce, capers, chili paste or powder, chutney, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, horseradish, ketchup, maple syrup, marmalades, molasses, mustards, oils, olives, pickles, salsa, vinegars, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • There are as many different types of condiments as there are foods, and they are often connected to certain types of cuisines. The type of condiment offered will depend on where you are enjoying a meal. When in Poland, for example, you will find bowls or jars of Ćwikła on the table when served kielbasa or a dish that includes ham. As both sausage and ham are part of the Easter meal, Ćwikła is also present at the holiday feast.