Appetizers & Snacksciaoflorentina5.0
Zacusca Vegetable Spread
Classic Zacusca recipe - the best roasted vegetable spread of Romanian origin, in other words a roasted pepper, eggplant and tomato spread to be enjoyed on crusty bread, garlicky bruschetta or your favorite pasta.
👥 10 Servings⏱️ Prep & Cook: 1h 50m⏳ Prep: 20 min🔥 Cook: 1h 30m👤 Florentina📖 ciaoflorentina
🥘 Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you prepare them:
🍳 Cookware
- bowl
- griddle
- knife
- food processor
- pan
📝 Preparation Steps
1
roast eggplants + peppers
2
Wash the pepper and eggplants and using a pairing knife poke the eggplants in couple of spots to prevent them from bursting during cooking. Heat up your outdoor grill or indoor cast iron griddle ( or broiler) and char the peppers and eggplants until black and smokey on all sides. Transfer to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap until cool enough to handle.
3
peel + chop vegetables
4
Peel the peppers and discard the skins, seeds and core. Transfer the cleaned roasted peppers to the bowl of a large food processor. Clean the roasted eggplant and scoop the flesh into the food processor bowl together with the roasted peppers. Using the PULSE button process until chopped but still with some rustic texture. Set aside.
5
saute onions
6
In a heavy bottom pan add a lug of olive oil and sauté the onion with a pinch of salt softened, translucent and begins to get a little color. Add the chili pepper and stir well, then the crushed tomatoes with their juices, the roasted peppers, eggplant, and bay leaves to the pan.
olive oil4 tbsp
7
add paprika & simmer
8
Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, give everything a nice stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
9
cover + cook
10
Cover partially with a heavy lid and cook low and slow for 35 to ⏱️ 45 minutes or until desired thickness is achieved. Stir often to prevent sticking and burning of the natural sugars on the bottom.
11
After ⏱️ 45 minute remove the lid and observe the sauce. If further reduction is desired continue cooking down the sauce to your liking. Taste and adjust seasonings to taste with salt and pepper, remove from heat and finish with a light drizzle of good olive oil. Transfer to jars and refrigerate or enjoy with bread, spooned on bruschetta or tossed with pasta.
olive oil4 tbsp
Nutrition Facts
calories
162 kcal
fat Content
7 g
serving Size
1 serving
fiber Content
10 g
sugar Content
16 g
sodium Content
465 mg
protein Content
5 g
carbohydrate Content
26 g
saturated Fat Content
1 g
unsaturated Fat Content
5 g
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