The Taste of the Balkans: Authentic Macedonian Ajvar Sauce Recipe

Welcome to our recipe for the original Macedonian Ajvar! This delicious pepper sauce is a true delight and a tradition in many Balkan countries. Today, we'll show you how to prepare authentic Macedonian Ajvar, known for its unique flavor and versatility. Just follow our simple steps to recreate this culinary masterpiece at home.

What is Ajvar?

Ajvar, also known as Ajvar Sauce or Ajvar Spread, is a savory pepper sauce widely enjoyed in the Balkan countries. It's primarily made from roasted red bell peppers blended with other ingredients such as eggplant, garlic, oil, and spices. This mixture yields a thick, flavorful sauce that can be served as a dip, spread, or side dish with various meals. While Ajvar is popular across many Balkan countries, Macedonian Ajvar is often considered the best due to its distinctive taste and texture.

Which peppers are suitable for Ajvar?

For the Ajvar recipe, only red bell peppers are used. Ideally, choose high-quality dark red bell peppers with firm flesh and thick walls. Selecting properly ripened peppers is crucial as they provide the best flavor and color for Ajvar. Organic bell peppers are often preferred as they are free from chemicals and pesticides, offering natural sweetness and freshness. Red bell peppers are chosen for Ajvar because they are ripe and sweet, contributing to an intense flavor and vibrant color.

Ingredients for the Ajvar recipe

5 kg red bell peppers

1 kg eggplant

500 ml sunflower oil

100 ml vinegar

4 garlic cloves

1 tbsp sugar

3 tbsp salt

1 tbsp peppercorns

Preparing Ajvar Sauce

Wash, dry, and halve the red bell peppers and eggplants. Remove the seeds and white membranes from the pepper halves. Place the pepper and eggplant halves skin-side up on a baking sheet and grill them in a preheated oven or on a grill rack over an open flame until the pepper skin forms black blisters and the eggplants soften. This takes about 20-30 minutes.

After grilling, remove the peppers from the oven or grill and immediately place them in a plastic bag. Seal the bag well to trap the steam. The heat and moisture in the bag will help loosen the pepper skin. Hang the plastic bag and make a small hole in it to allow the liquid to drain. Let the peppers cool in the bag until they are lukewarm.

Once the peppers and eggplants are lukewarm, remove them from the plastic bag and peel the skin off the pepper halves. The skin of the eggplants can be easily peeled off. Completely remove the skin from all pepper and eggplant pieces before further processing.

Peel the garlic cloves and finely chop them. Place the roasted and peeled pepper and eggplant pieces in a blender or food processor and puree them until smooth. Tip: The Ajvar will be even better if you mince the vegetables with a meat grinder!

Heat the sunflower oil in a large pot. Add the pureed pepper-eggplant mixture and stir well. Add the vinegar, chopped garlic, sugar, salt, and peppercorns. Let the Ajvar sauce simmer over low heat until thick and aromatic. This usually takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the desired consistency.

Once the Ajvar sauce reaches the desired consistency, ladle it hot into clean jars or bottles and seal them tightly. Let the Ajvar cool, then store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for several weeks when refrigerated and can be enjoyed as a delicious dip, spread, or side dish. 

Ways to Use Ajvar

Ajvar is extremely versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways:

• Dip: Ajvar Sauce is excellent as a dip for bread, vegetable sticks, or chips. Its thick consistency and savory taste make it a delightful addition to snacks or appetizers.
• Spread: Ajvar Spread on fresh bread or toast for a flavorful and spicy topping. It adds an extra dimension of taste to sandwiches, rolls, or baguettes.
• Grilling Sauce: Use Ajvar Sauce as a sauce for grilled meats, poultry, or vegetables. Its spicy flavor and rich texture enhance your grill dishes.
• Ingredient in dishes: Ajvar can be used as an ingredient in various dishes, such as soups, stews, casseroles, or pasta sauces. It adds depth and flavor and can serve as a flavor enhancer.
• Marinade: Dilute Ajvar with some oil and use it as a marinade for meat or vegetables. The flavors permeate the food, providing a delicious result when cooking or grilling.
• Side dish: Serve Ajvar as a side dish to main courses such as grilled meat, fish, or poultry. It complements the flavors of the main dish, creating a harmonious flavor combination.

Overall, Ajvar is a versatile and flavorful product that offers numerous ways to enhance dishes and delight the palate.

Ajvar Recipe on YouTube

Activate the subtitle function and check out the video for the recipe on my YouTube channel.