Celeriac Bread Spread (Czech Celerová pomazánka)

Celeriac, a root vegetable commonly used in Czech cuisine, is the star of this popular recipe for a refreshing bread spread. It's a delicious choice anytime, whether as a hearty snack on a slice of bread or as a light meal.

In the stores in the Czech Republic, you can find celery bulbs in every vegetable corner. However, I know it is not always easy to find celeriac abroad. Try local farmers' markets if you are out of luck at a regular grocery store.

I use celery heads for more than just this bread spread. I fry celery slices like schnitzel, and celery cubes are essential in classic Czech soups like Bramboračka potato soup or in Svíčková, an iconic sauce that Czechs hold dear.

➜ List of ingredients

To make homemade celery spread from scratch, get the following ingredients:

• Raw celery root; opt for the root bulb, not the stalk one. Choose a smaller head, as you will use about half for the spread; I use the rest for soup. Celery tends to dry out on the surface, but it can also mold in the refrigerator. Look for celery with firm, fresh skin.
• Carrot root
• Apple; half is enough. A sweeter apple helps balance the distinct flavor of celeriac.
• Mayonnaise
• White yogurt; definitely a thick one, not a light version. I recommend a creamy type with 10% fat. For an even richer flavor, get sour cream.
• Lemon juice, freshly pressed
• For seasoning: salt and ground black pepper
• Spring onion (scallion) with green ends; for the final garnish

✅ You will find the exact ingredient amounts in the recipe card below, which you can also print out.

Kitchen equipment: vegetable peeler, grater box, sharp chef's knife and chopping board

➜ How to make celeriac bread spread

Cut, peel and grate the celeriac bulb

STEP 1: Split the celery head in half. Trim the remaining roots at the top, and peel off the outer skin with a peeler. Grate the celery finely using a grater.

You need to peel the celeriac before cooking. For removing the tough skin of the celery root, I've found that a vegetable peeler with a swivel blade works best for me. I use a grater box with small holes for the shredding process.

Finish the bread spread

STEP 2: Peel and finely grate the carrot. Core the apple and grate it coarsely (large holes) for a better texture.

STEP 3: Place grated celeriac, carrot, and apple in a bowl. Add mayonnaise, yogurt, or sour cream. Season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well, and let it chill in the refrigerator for about ten minutes.

STEP 4: Top the celery spread on the bread slices in a generous layer and garnish with chopped green scallions for added flavor and a nice display.

The best breads for this spread are Czech Chleba rye bread, Veka white bread, Housky braided rolls, or Rohlíky rolls. A French baguette is also an excellent choice.

➜ Serving and storage

Serve as an open-faced sandwich as a snack at home, as a regular sandwich for work, or for the kids to take to school. In our family, I make this celery bread spread for my husband as a dinner option; even though he is a committed carnivore, he always enjoys this delicious treat!

Store the spread in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap, where it will keep for about 4-5 days. On the second day, you may notice some released liquid on the surface, which is nothing to worry about; just stir the spread well.

Before serving, let the spread sit on the kitchen counter at room temperature for at least half an hour.

➜ What is celeriac?

Celeriac is a root vegetable with a knobby, bulbous appearance. It is a variety of celery grown for its edible root rather than its stalks or leaves. Celeriac flesh is creamy white and has a distinctive, mild celery flavor.

Celeriac is commonly used in cooking and can be enjoyed roasted, fried as schnitzel, mashed with potatoes, or in soups and stews.

➜ Quick tips

• This is a light and healthy bread spread with a modest amount of mayonnaise, enriched with white yogurt or sour cream. It will appeal to even the most hardened celery critics!
• How do you enhance this celery bread spread? Add finely chopped hard-boiled eggs or grated hard cheese (in the Czech Republic, we often use semi-hard Dutch cheese such as Gouda or Edam). If you like garlic, one or two mashed cloves will take the spread to a new level of flavor.

More Czech tasty recipes:

• Zelnicky sauerkraut crackers
• Leftover pork roast spread
• Deli sadad with mayo
• Yeast spread