Thursday, March 7, 2013

Zacusca/Zakuszka

Zacusca is a vegetable spread very popular in Estern Europe. When I was a kid my mom used to make it and I remember it took a long time. Now I have an easier way to make it and according to me it tasts just as good as the old fashioned one. My mom gave me this recipe and I love it. People usually cook all the vegetables in the oven and then they clean them and chop them, is quite messy. I use a meat grinder (probably you can use a food processor).

Ingredients:
1 or 2 Onions
Red, green, yellow, orange peppers (I used 2 bags of the colorful small peppers from Walmart, but you can use 10-15 big ones)
1 Eggplant
1 small can of tomatoe paste
salt
1 1/2 Tbs black pepper corns
4 pc. Bay leaf
up to 1/2 cup of oil

Wrap the eggplant in aluminiun foil and put it in the oven at 400 F. Leave it in for about 45 minutes to 1  hour; they have to be soft. After they are done, peel the black skin off and with a wooden knife (if you have one) cut it in small pieces. Gut the peppers and grind them (I think a food procesor would work as well). You can also put the eggplent through the grinder (foodprocessor). Brown the onions with some oil (not too brown though). Add all the other ingredients and boil it till everything is soft. Make sure you put enough oil, but also make sure it doesn't come out too oily. Serve on bread and enjoy!!!