Jota (Slovenian Bean and Sauerkraut Soup)
In short: A thick winter soup of beans, sauerkraut, potatoes and smoked pork ribs, thickened with a garlic and paprika roux and eaten with rye bread. It takes about 2 h 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 2 h
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 2 h 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 295 kcal
Jota is a thick Slovenian soup that is closer to a stew: beans, sauerkraut and potatoes simmered with smoked pork until everything melts together. A quick garlic and paprika roux at the end gives it body and color. The soup is eaten across Slovenia, and every family has its own version, some with sour turnip instead of sauerkraut. It tastes better the next day, and a bowl with rye bread is a full meal.
Instructions
- Put the beans, smoked ribs, bay leaves and water in a large pot. Bring to a boil, skim off the foam, then simmer partly covered for 1 hour, until the beans are almost tender.
- Add the sauerkraut, potatoes and caraway. Simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender.
- Meanwhile, heat the oil in a small pan and cook the onion for 6 minutes. Add the garlic and flour and stir for 1 minute, until light golden. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the paprika.
- Lift the ribs out of the soup, pull the meat from the bones and return the meat to the pot.
- Stir the roux into the soup and simmer for 10 minutes. Mash a few beans against the side of the pot to thicken it.
- Season with the pepper and the salt, adding more only if needed, since the sauerkraut and smoked meat are salty. Serve hot with rye bread.
Tips
- Rinse the sauerkraut if it is very sour. Sour turnip (kisla repa) can replace it if you find it in an Eastern European shop.
- In a hurry, use 3 cans (400 g / 14 oz each) of beans, drained. Simmer the ribs with the bay leaves in 1.3 liters (5 1/2 cups) of water for 45 minutes, then add the canned beans with the sauerkraut and potatoes.
Questions and answers
What is jota?
A thick Slovenian soup of beans, sauerkraut or sour turnip, potatoes and smoked pork. It is eaten across the country, and every family has its own version.
Can I freeze jota?
Yes, for up to 3 months. It thickens as it sits, so add a splash of hot water when you reheat it.
Can I make jota vegetarian?
Yes. Leave out the smoked pork, add 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika and an extra tablespoon of oil, and use vegetable stock instead of water.
How long does it take to make Jota (Slovenian Bean and Sauerkraut Soup)?
About 2 h 25 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 2 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Jota (Slovenian Bean and Sauerkraut Soup)?
About 295 kcal per serving, with 16 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 295 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 11 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
