Pickle soup facts for kids

Imagine a warm, tasty soup made with special pickled vegetables! That's what pickle soup is. It's a unique kind of soup that gets its tangy flavor from different pickled veggies. One popular kind is dill pickle soup, which uses crunchy pickled cucumbers. Sometimes, people even grate the dill pickles right into the soup to make it extra flavorful. You might find this interesting soup in some restaurants, especially in places with a strong Polish heritage, like certain areas in Chicago.

A bowl of Rassolnik, a traditional Russian pickle soup.

A delicious soup made with pickled mustard and fish.

What are the Different Kinds of Pickle Soup?

Pickle soup is enjoyed in many countries, and each place often has its own special way of making it. Let's explore some of the most famous types!

Rassolnik: Russia's Tangy Soup

Rassolnik is a traditional sour soup from Russian cuisine. It's known for its unique taste, which comes from a special ingredient: pickle brine! Brine is the salty, tangy liquid that pickles are kept in. In Russian, this brine is called rassol.

• Main Ingredients: Rassolnik usually starts with a flavorful broth (like chicken or beef stock). Key ingredients include dill pickles, pearl barley (a type of grain), and potatoes. Sometimes, it's made with veal or lamb kidneys, but many versions use other meats or are vegetarian.
• Extra Flavors: Chefs might add other vegetables like carrots and leeks to the soup. They season it with salt and pepper to get the taste just right.
• Serving Suggestion: Rassolnik is often served with a dollop of sour cream on top, which adds a creamy, cool contrast to the tangy soup.

Zupa Ogórkowa: Poland's Favorite Pickle Soup

Zupa ogórkowa is a very popular traditional dill pickle soup from Polish cuisine. It's made with a specific type of Polish-style brine-cured pickles, which are extra sour and flavorful. Some recipes might use regular dill pickles or kosher dill pickles if the Polish kind isn't available.

• Core Ingredients: The main parts of Zupa ogórkowa are a rich broth, pickles, and potatoes.
• Broth Choices: The soup's flavor can change a lot depending on the broth used. It can be made with a light vegetable broth or a hearty meat broth. Sometimes, pork bones are used to create a very rich, meaty base for the soup.
• Added Goodies: Other ingredients that can be added include celery, carrots, and garlic for extra flavor. For a creamy texture, some recipes use cream or egg yolk. Fresh dill is often added for its unique herby taste, along with salt and pepper.

Pickle Soup in Canada

Did you know pickle soup is also popular in Canada? A special kind of dill pickle soup is well-loved in the Prairie Provinces, especially in the province of Alberta. It's a comforting and flavorful dish that many people enjoy there!