Romanian Zacusca Recipes

ZACUSCA RECIPE - ROMANIAN ROASTED EGGPLANT AND RED PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• Poke the eggplant flesh in several places with a knife (this allows steam to escape when cooking).
• Remove the stems from the peppers and core them. Slice them in half lengthwise.
• FOR GRILLING: Heat the grill to medium heat and lightly oil the grates. Set the eggplant and red peppers (skin sides uonto the grates and close the lid. Grill 20 minutes, or until the red pepper skins bubble up and char. Remove them. Continue to grill the eggplant, flipping every few minutes to get an even char on the skins and the flesh is softened up, another 20 minutes or so. Remove from heat.
• FOR BAKING: Set the eggplant and red peppers onto a large foil-lined baking sheet.
• Heat oven to 400 degrees and bake the egglplant and peppers for 20 minutes, until the pepper skins char and bubble up. Remove the peppers and flip the eggplants. Continue to roast until the eggplants soften and blacken, another 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat.
• When the peppers and eggplant are done, remove the pepper skins and discard them. Set them aside for now, covered.
• Scoop out the eggplant flesh and discard the skins. Place the eggplant flesh into a strainer and sprinkle with salt. Let the liquids drain out for 1 hour.
• Add the drained eggplant and chili peppers to a blender or food processor and process until chunky.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan and add the onion and jalapeno peppers (and/or serrano peppers, if you're using them). Cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until everything softens up.
• Add the processed eggplant and red peppers, fresh or canned tomatoes, sunflower oil, honey (if using), and salt and pepper. Bring to a quick boil, then reduce the heat. Simmer for at least 30 minutes, or until everything breaks down and combines into a thicker spread to your preferred thickness. I like to simmer 60-90 minutes to develop more flavor. If it dries out too much, add in a few tablespoons of water.
• Remove the bay leaf and adjust for salt and pepper.

TRADITIONAL ZACUSCA (100 YEAR OLD RECIPE)

Steps:

• Wrap your oven racks or trays with aluminium foil. Preheat the oven to 450F / 220C. Poke a few holes in the eggplants and peppers. Basically this will allow the steam to escape, during roasting. Place the peppers and the eggplants on top of the aluminium foil and roast them in the centre of the oven. Set the timer for 20 minutes. One side of the pepper should be quite blackened. Turn the peppers around and place them back in the oven for another 20 minutes. Take the peppers out of the oven and set aside on a plate. Now turn the eggplants over and roast them for another 25-30 minutes. Remove the eggplants from the oven and set aside to cool.
• When all roasted vegetables are room temperature and you can handle them with your bare hands, it's time to "cut" them. First, decore the peppers and discard the seeds. Place the flesh on a wooden chopping board and using a flat wooden spoon "chop" the peppers until you get a rough paste. This is a traditional Romanian method of "chopping". Of course, you can use a food processor if you prefer. I like to do it the traditional way as this is how zacusca was done back in the days. In Romania, we use a special kitchen device called "eggplant wooden chopper" for this. Imagine a sort of small wooden axe, or like a wooden chef's knife used to hit the flesh repeatedly until you get the desired level of vegetable paste.
• Carefully slice the eggplant in half. Using a wooden spoon, scoop out the eggplant flesh and discard the skins. Engaging in the same methodology as before, using a wooden spoon, chop the eggplant flesh until you get a rough paste. The smoother, the better. Again, this is a traditional Romanian way of making zacusca. If you prefer, you can use your food processor to create a smooth paste.
• Heat up a drizzle of oil in a large and deep frying pan. Add the chopped onion and fry for about 3-5 minutes until translucent and soft. Add the chopped eggplant and peppers, the tomato sauce, the vegetable oil, salt, pepper, bay leaf and sugar. Mix well until everything is fully combined. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 90 minutes stirring occasionally. Check on the zacusca on a regular basis to ensure it doesn't stick to the pan. I simmer it uncovered so my zacusca reduces and becomes a delicious paste. If at any point during the cooking process you feel that your zacusca is drying out too much, simply add a few tablespoons of water to it and continue to simmer.
• When the 90 minutes are almost up, remove the bay leaves and taste the zacusca. Adjust the seasoning if needed and let it simmer for another 5 - 10 minutes. To store zacusca you can use an air-tight container and refrigerate. If you want to store zacusca de traditional way, you must sterilise empty jars and store your zacusca in them. Traditionally zacusca is then sealed in the jars and stored in a cold room for up to one year. We usually buy local eggplants to make zacusca and we make it in September.

ROMANIAN ZACUSCA

Steps:

• Over an open flame (gas stove or grill) completely blacken the skins of the eggplants and peppers.
• Peel skins off immediately. Easiest way to get the last bits off is to do it under a slow running faucet.
• Puree each of the three vegetables separately in a food processor. And place each in a separate bowl when you are finished.
• Place oil and onion in a large pot.
• Saute onions for about 4 minutes over medium-low heat.
• Add eggplant, onion, salt and pepper.
• Cook until a thin layer of oil remains on top and when a spoonful of zacusca is removed, only the oil should run off the spoon, not the zacusca.
• Taste and adjust salt and pepper to meet your tastes.
• Spoon mixture into sterilized jars of your choosing. It is easiest if they are all the same size.
• Wipe rims clean and place clean lids and rings on jars.
• Place into a single layer in large pot (water bath canner if you have one).
• Fill pot with water up to the necks of the jars. Bring to a boil and boil for 20 minutes.
• Remove from heat and allow to cool in water bath.
• When cool remove from water and you are ready to go. If oil separates just mix it back in when ready to serve.
• NOTE: My original Romanian recipe calls for a full Liter of oil but results in a much heavier and oilier zacusca. I cut mine back substantially from the original.

ZACUSCA

Steps:

• Chop and boil tomatoes then strain to remove skins.
• On a barbeque, roast the eggplants and bell peppers whole, set aside to cool. Once cooled, peel and drain them. Remove the core and all seeds from the peppers and then julienne them.
• Chop the eggplants.
• Sauté the chopped onions in the oil until softened. Add the chopped eggplants, julienne peppers and bell peppers, as well as the juice from 4 kg boiled and strained tomatoes. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste).
• Cool and package into useable sizes.