Begin cooking the onions in the butter in a large kettle. Add caraway seeds and salt. Cook until onion is translucent. Add celery, carrots and cabbage. Add water saved, cover, and cook until all vegetables are tender. Add potatoes, beets and all remaining ingredients.

Cover and simmer slowly for at least 30 minutes. Taste to correct seasonings.

Serve topped with sour cream, extra dill weed, chopped fresh tomatoes.