Discover the flavor of ajvar: Balkan sauce recipe you must try

When I first tried this delicious Balkan sauce, I knew that enjoying it only during vacations in Croatia wouldn't be enough. Therefore, I had to learn to make it at home. I recommend you do the same!

Ajvar is a vegetable sauce famous throughout the Balkan Peninsula. It plays a significant role in the local cuisine, so it is easy to find in Croatian, Serbian, Albanian, or Greek restaurants. I first tried it during a vacation, and Ajvar conquered my taste buds.

Ajvar's recipe is simple; the secret lies in the right proportions of vegetables and spices. I like to use it in various dishes, but it doesn't work better with anything than grilled dishes. Today, this thick sauce is the main addition I use in the summer, and it is gradually winning over the remaining members of my family. Ketchup? It's almost a thing of the past. The time of Ajvar has come!

Ingredients:

                                              
• 7 red bell peppers
• 2 large eggplants
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 2 small chili peppers
• 2 white onions
• 5 cloves of garlic
• Half a lemon
• Salt, pepper
• Oregano
• Summer savory
• 2 ounces of wine vinegar (I recommend homemade)
• Olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cut the eggplants and peppers in half. Remove the seed cores from the peppers and green ends from the eggplants, and spread the vegetables on a baking sheet. Drizzle them with olive oil, sprinkle with salt, and bake at 400°F until soft, about 15 minutes.
2. After baking, wait for the vegetables to cool down, then peel them with your fingers.
3. Sauté the chopped onion in a pot with a small amount of olive oil. Add the canned tomatoes, finely chopped garlic, and chili pepper.
4. After a few minutes, add the roasted, peeled, and chopped peppers and eggplants. Season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Add roughly a teaspoon each of summer savory and oregano. Simmer the entire mixture for 25 minutes.
5. Blend the ingredients into a paste. Check the flavor and add more spices if necessary. Your ajvar is now ready.