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Similar Murături, Romanian pepper, Ciorbă, Lekvar, Mămăligă | ||
Zacuscă ([zaˈkuskə]) is a vegetable spread popular in Romania. Similar spreads are found in other countries throughout, or bordering, the Balkans.
Contents
Zacusc de pe te
Ingredients
The main ingredients are roasted eggplant, sauteed onions, tomato paste, and roasted red peppers (Romanian pepper called gogoșari). Some add mushrooms, carrots, or celery. Bay leaves are added as spice, as well as other ingredients (oil, salt, and pepper). Traditionally, a family will cook a large quantity of it after the fall harvest and preserve it through canning.
Usage
Zacuscă can be eaten as a relish or spread, typically on bread. It is said to improve in taste after some months of maturing but must be used within days of opening. Although traditionally prepared at home, it is also commercially available. Some Bulgarian and Middle Eastern brand-names are available in the United States.
Etymology
The word zacuscă is of Slavic origin which means simply "breakfast" or "appetizer" or "snack" (compare Russian: закуска compare Bulgarian: закуска, zakuska).
