Zacusca {Roasted Red Pepper Spread}
Servings Prep Time
1jar 10minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
2hours 30-60minutes
Servings Prep Time
1jar 10minutes
Cook Time Passive Time
2hours 30-60minutes
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Grill the eggplant until it’s charred on the outside and soft on the inside, and the red peppers until the skin is charred and blistered.
  2. Alternatively, if it’s too cold to grill (or your tank of gas is empty) you can bake these on a cooking sheet in the over at 400°F for about 20 to 30 minutes. Turn them so they can cook evenly, and make sure they’re soft before removing from oven.

    Note: Make sure you poke the eggplant and peppers generously with a fork before putting them in the oven.
  3. Once the eggplant and peppers are either grilled or oven baked, allow to cool. Remove the skin of both (this part can become a little tricky–you’re allowed to cry out to the heavens in frustration) from the eggplant and place it with the peppers into a colander. Sprinkle generously with sea salt, cover with a few layers of paper towel, and set a heavier dish or bowl on top to drain as much liquid as you can from the veggies. This might take up to an hour to complete.

    Note: With eggplant never use metal tools as it’ll oxidize the vegetable quicker.
  4. While draining the eggplant and red pepper, dice the onion and saute in a deep pan with the vegetable oil (NOT olive oil) until they become translucent. Add cherry tomatoes here to allow them to “burst” in the pan. If using regular diced tomatoes, add in the next step.
  5. Coarsely chop the eggplant and red pepper then add to the pan with your bay leaf, honey, salt, peppercorn and water.
  6. Cook on low and uncovered for about 1 ½ hours, stirring occasionally.
  7. Adjust the taste with salt and honey if necessary.
  8. Once satisfied with the flavors, remove and discard the bay leaf, then transfer contents into a food processor or blender. Pulse until pureed with chunks. It shouldn’t be super smooth.
  9. Store in the fridge in an airtight container. Canning jars come in handy, though tupperware should suffice, too.
  10. Serve with bread, my Romanian Flatbread, crackers or chips. Se bucura/enjoy!