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Ajvar Roasted Peppers Sauce by Authentic Food Quest

Ajvar Recipe

This Ajvar recipe is for an addictive sauce that blends roasted red pepper, eggplants and spices. Popular in the Balkans and referred to as “vegetable caviar”, this versatile luxurious spread goes well on bread, meats, pasta and more. It is deadly delicious and simply unforgettable.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Recipes
Cuisine: Serbian
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Additional Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 4 Cups
Calories: 250kcal
Author: Authentic Food Quest

Ingredients 

  • 7 red bell peppers or red bull horn peppers large
  • 1 eggplant
  • cup Sunflower Oil
  • 1 tbsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Sugar
  • 1 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp White Vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Chopped Parsley optional

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 460°F or 240 °C.
  • Clean the red bell peppers and arrange on a baking tray lined with a baking sheet or aluminum foil.
  • Place the peppers in the oven and bake for about 1 hour until the skin darkens and gets wrinkly.
  • Check on the peppers regularly, removing the ones with charred skin while turning others around.
  • After baking, remove the pan with the peppers from the oven, and while still warm cover with a plastic wrap.
  • Leave the peppers covered overnight to make them easier to peel off the skin.
  • Meanwhile, pierce the eggplant with a fork and place it in the oven to bake at 460°F or 240 °C.
  • Meanwhile, pierce the eggplant with a fork and place it in the oven to bake at 460°F or 240 °C.
  • Peel the peppers and discard the burnt skin along with the stems and seeds.
  • Cut the top of the eggplant and separate it lengthwise. Spoon out the soft meat on the inside and discard the skin.
  • Place the peppers and what is left of the eggplant and mix together in a blender or food processor until you have a smooth consistency.
  • Put the mixture in a large cooking pot and simmer over medium high heat for about 1 hour.
  • Add the oil while stirring constantly.
  • After 30 minutes, reduce the temperature to medium-low heat and simmer for another 30 minutes, but continue to stir.
  • In the last 20 minutes of cooking, add vinegar, salt and sugar and stir until everything is well combined.
  • Remove from heat and transfer the ajvar sauce  into clean and sterilized small jars with the lids shut tight.
  • As you fill up the jars, leave about 0.3 inches or 1 cm on the top.
  • Allow ajvar to cool for at least 24 hours before placing it in the fridge.
  • Or, if you want to eat ajvar right away, spread this delicious treat on bread or with meat as soon as it cools down.

Notes

  • For easier peeling of the roasted red peppers, place them in a plastic airtight container and close the lid. The heat or steam from the peppers will soften the skin making it easier to peel off. 
  • If you like spicy flavors you can add additional freshly ground black pepper during the last phase of cooking
  • Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Sodium: 1756mg | Potassium: 715mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 6634IU | Vitamin C: 270mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg
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