Making Lutenitsa | The Most Delicious Smokey Bulgarian Speciality

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: sunflower oil

Avocado oil offers healthy fats, while sunflower oil is budget-friendly.

red bell peppers

🥗Healthier: yellow bell peppers

💰Cheaper: canned peppers

Yellow peppers maintain flavor with fewer calories, while canned peppers are cost-effective.

vinegar

🥗Healthier: lemon juice

💰Cheaper: apple cider vinegar

Lemon juice adds brightness, while apple cider vinegar is often less expensive.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: agave syrup

Honey is a natural sweetener, while agave syrup can be more affordable.

Roast red bell peppers and eggplant over an open flame until charred and soft, about 15-20 minutes.

Peel the charred skin off the peppers and eggplant and chop them coarsely.

Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering.

Add chopped onions and garlic to the pot; sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the chopped tomatoes and carrots; cook for 10 minutes until softened.

Add the roasted peppers and eggplant to the pot; mix well.

Season with vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper; stir to combine.

Simmer the mixture on low heat for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Blend the mixture until smooth using an immersion blender or a regular blender.

Transfer to sterilized jars and let cool completely before sealing.

Store in the refrigerator for up to a month.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary