Authentic Zacusca Recipe: A Healthy Romanian Vegetable Spread for Bread by 30Seconds Food


Authentic Zacusca Recipe: A Healthy Romanian Vegetable Spread for Bread

Zacusca is a vegetable spread that's popular in Romania, Moldova and in the Balkan region. The spread is made with roasted eggplants and red peppers. It can be found on menus, in grocery stores and in homes all over Romania. Families have their special recipes and pass them down from generation to generation.

Zacusca is often spread on bread and served as a side dish with meats. You can store this zacusca recipe in the refrigerator or put it into sterilized jars for longer storage in the pantry.

Cuisine: Romanian
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes to 2 hours
Total Time: 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours and 15 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients

  • 2 medium eggplants, pierced all over with a sharp knife
  • 4 large red bell peppers, stems removed and cut in half
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 jalapeno peppers (optional)
  • 1 pound tomatoes, chopped (you could use canned tomatoes)
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil or olive oil
  • bay leaf
  • 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

Here's how to make it: 

  1. Put the eggplant and red bell peppers onto a baking sheet. Bake the vegetables in a preheated 400-degree F oven for about 20 minutes or until the outside is charred. Remove the peppers to a plate. Flip the eggplants over and continue to bake until soft and blackened, about 20 more minutes. Remove to the plate. 
  2. When cool enough to handle, remove the skins from the peppers and eggplants. Put the eggplant flesh into a strainer, sprinkle with salt and let it sit for 1 hour to remove moisture. 
  3. Put the eggplant into a blender along with the red peppers. Pulse until combined but still chunky.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet. Add the onion and jalapeno peppers, if using. Cook, stirring, about 5 minutes or until soft. Add the eggplant-pepper mixture, tomatoes, vegetable oil and bay leaf and sugar, if using. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer about 30 minutes to 1 hour. The longer you cook, the more flavor develops. Taste and add more salt and pepper, if needed. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Need help converting cooking and baking measurements? Here are some handy kitchen conversion charts. Here's how to submit your recipes to 30Seconds.

Take 30 seconds and join the 30Seconds community, and follow us on Facebook to get recipes in your newsfeed daily. Inspire and be inspired.

Related Products on Amazon We Think You May Like:

30Second Mobile, Inc. is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Baking Sheets $8 & Up
Bay Leaves $3 & Up
Olive Oil $4 & Up
Vegetable Oil $2 & Up
Sugar $2 & Up

The Best Baba Ganoush Recipe: A Chef Shares Her Savory Recipe for Creamy Delicious Buttered Eggplant Dip

Baba Ganoush: This Eggplant Dip Is a Quick & Healthy Snack

Best Pickled Eggplant Recipe: Eggplant Is What Peter Piper Really Wanted to Pick

Classic Turkish Eggplant Recipe (Imam Bayildi): Easy Stuffed Eggplant on Flavor Overload

Elisa Schmitz
I love making international dishes. This is so intriguing! #yum
bepositive
Bread spreads are addictive. 😍

join discussion

Please login to comment.

recommended tips

Crispy & Creamy Roasted Greek Potatoes Recipe With Garlic, Lemon & Oregano

Raspberry Baked Oatmeal Recipe: The Breakfast You Didn't Know You Needed

Magic Dijonnaise Roasted Potatoes Recipe: Crispy, Creamy & Full of Flavor

Creamy Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip Recipe Is the Best Cold Appetizer