Great Grandma A’s Russian Borscht - Vegetarian

1 small beet, cut in ½ or ¼
2 medium potatoes, diced
1 carrot, diced
7 cups boiling water
1 teaspoon salt
Cook in large pot for 15 minutes.

4 tablespoon butter
1 chopped onion
3 cups canned tomatoes
1 small head green cabbage, shredded
Fry onion in butter. Add tomatoes and cabbage. Add salt and pepper to taste. Simmer slowly for 10 minutes. Add to the rest of the vegetables and cook until cabbage is done. Remove cooked beets as they will not be fully cooked. Optional:  Add cream or sour cream.

Variations:
Add ground beef to recipe.
Use cooked beets and leave in soup.