Lithuanian Borscht

Begin cooking with the ham: boil it until done, remembering to add salt and your favorite spices for flavor. Separately, boil the beets so they retain their vibrant color and taste.

While the ham and beets are cooking, prepare the vegetables: sauté the finely chopped onion and grated carrots in vegetable oil until golden brown. This will add depth of flavor to the borscht.

Once the ham is cooked, carefully remove it from the broth. Add diced potatoes to the flavorful broth and cook until tender.

Now it's time to bring all the ingredients together: add the sautéed vegetables, diced ham, and boiled beets to the pot. Heat the borscht for two minutes, without bringing it to a boil, allowing all the flavors to meld harmoniously. Ladle into bowls and serve, garnishing with sour cream for a touch of richness.