World Flavors Cookbook

Zacuscă (Eggplant-Pepper Spread)

Name: Zacuscă (Eggplant-Pepper Spread)
Cook time: 120 min
Cuisine: Romania
Ingredients: 3 kg eggplants; 2 kg red bell peppers (kapia); 1 kg onions; 500ml oil; 500ml tomato juice; Bay leaves, salt, pepper

A smokey, slow-cooked vegetable spread made from roasted eggplants and red peppers, a winter pantry essential.

Cuisine: Romania

Ingredients

3 kg eggplants
2 kg red bell peppers (kapia)
1 kg onions
500ml oil
500ml tomato juice
Bay leaves, salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Roast eggplants and peppers over flame until skin is charred. 2. Peel, drain, and chop the vegetables. 3. Sauté chopped onions in oil until soft. 4. Add eggplants, peppers, and tomato juice. 5. Simmer on very low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring frequently, until the oil rises to the top. 6. Serve cold on thick slices of fresh bread.