Romanian Roasted Eggplant Spread Food

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.

VEGAN ROMANIAN EGGPLANT BAKE

Steps:

• Peel eggplants in such a way that 3 strips of skin remain on each eggplant. Cut peeled eggplant into 1/2-inch slices. The strips of skin will prevent the eggplant slices from falling apart while cooking.
• Bring vegetable broth to a boil in a large pot and cook eggplant slices in batches for 1 minute. Pour into a sieve and drain well.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a large baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Spread out eggplant slices on the bottom of the baking dish.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook bell peppers, onions, and garlic until softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and layer over eggplant. Add tomato slices; season with salt and pepper.
• Bake in the preheated oven until vegetables are tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

ROMANIAN ROASTED EGGPLANT SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Poke eggplant with a fork and place on a baking sheet.
• Roast in the preheated oven until skin is charred and eggplant is soft, about 45 minutes. Cool until easily handled, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Peel eggplant and drain in a colander for 30 minutes. Chop eggplant very finely.
• Place eggplant in a bowl and blend using an electric mixer. Gradually add oil and keep mixing until incorporated, about 2 minutes. Add yogurt and salt; mix well. Stir in chopped onion.

EGGPLANT SPREAD - ROMANIAN APPETIZER (PUTTLAJEL OR PATLAGEA VANA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• Wrap the eggplants in aluminum foil and place onto baking sheet.
• Bake until soft and the skin is charred, about 1 hour.
• Slice open the eggplants and scoop out all of the insides, placing it into a large bowl.
• Chop the eggplants with a fork and add the chopped onions, oil, salt and pepper.
• Mix well with a fork.
• Spread this rough mixture onto the slices of white bread or pita bread and serve as an appetizer.

ROMANIAN EGGPLANT SPREAD (SALATA DE VINATE)

Steps:

• Place eggplant over open flame (gas stove or grill).
• Carefully turn to ensure all the skin on eggplants are completely charred. They will look black and be very limp and soft from end to end.
• Immediately remove charred skin by placing them under cool running water. Pick off as many of the burnt bits as possible.
• Place eggplant in a colander and sprinkle with 1-2 teaspoons of salt. Allow moisture to drain off for at least 10 minutes.
• Place eggplant on a non-metal surface (wood is best) and chop with a WOOD (or plastic) chopping knife until it is pretty much pureed. In Romania every kitchen has a special wooden knife specifically for this purpose. I have used my hard plastic bread dough tool. DO NOT USE METAL it will react with the eggplant and give it a funky flavor.
• Place into a NON-METAL bowl and blend in mayonnaise and onion with a non-metal utensil until you have a smooth mixture.
• Serve on crusty bread with a slice of ripe tomato on top.