Borscht base WSJ Crossword Clue

Think of a root vegetable known for its vibrant hue and earthy flavor, often found in Eastern European cuisine.

????? are a root vegetable with a deep red color, commonly used in salads and soups.

Borscht is a traditional Eastern European soup known for its deep red color, which comes from its primary ingredient, ?????. The clue directly points to the main vegetable used as the base for this dish.

Borscht vegetables, Source of half the world's sugar during the late 1800s, ...in a 7-Down, Purple slices in a salad, Source of the "blood" in a meatless burger, maybe