Putney School Borscht

This is a Ukrainian borscht, which the Putney School serves at its Harvest Festival. It is a superb winter food, and excellent for crowds because it can be expanded (with the “stretching ingredients”) in the last half hour of cooking or reheating. Make it the day before, and keep it chilled until you reheat it. Serve with dark pumpernickel or herb bread, salad, and fruit.