Mzhave | Georgian Cabbage Pickled with Beets

Mzhave Combosto is widely popular in former Soviet countries appetizer made with cabbage and beetroot. Since it belongs to Georgian cuisine, it is also known as Georgian or Guria-style cabbage. Word MZHAVE means salted, fermented, or pickled. There are variations in different regions of Georgia (e.g., in Guria, Imereti, and Kakheti). Some cooks prefer natural fermentation, while others add vinegar to pickle vegetables. Some recipes make the cabbage more hot and spicy, while others are not heavy with spices and herbs. Every household adjusts the recipe to the taste. The common ingredients are juicy white cabbage, beetroot, garlic, and chile pepper. Celery is also often on the list. In Ukraine, we have a similar recipe — Pelyustka. The name comes from the word “petal,” probably because pickled with beets, cabbage leaves look like pink flower petals.

Unbalanced

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Step 1

Prepare vegetables. Slice cabbage to vedges. Peel and thinly slice beets. Fresh or dry, remove veins and seeds, then slice the chili pepper of your choice. Peel and thinly slice the garlic. Prepare spices, herbs, and seasonings.

Step 2

Clean pickling container(s). You need one 4-quart or two 2-quart nonreactive containers and weights (I use saucer plates). Fill the container with alternating layers of cabbage, beets, chili pepper, and garlic. If using the celery, place it on the top. Add enough drinking water to cover the vegetables. Strain the liquid into a saute pan.

Step 3

Bring the water to boiling over the high heat. Add salt, bay leaves, dill, and coriander seeds, and let simmer for 2-3 minutes. Turn off the heat.

Step 4

Add vinegar to the pickling container with the cabbage and beets, and then pour the hot brine to cover the vegetables. Place a weight to keep them submerged. Let stay at room temperature for 3-5 days until the cabbage is bright red. Keep mzhave refrigerated in the same container with brine for up to 5 weeks. My favorite way of serving it is drizzled with good-tasting vegetable oil and piping hot boiled potatoes. Enjoy!

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