Mushroom Spread

Autumn is making its presence felt, and with it comes the desire to preserve the taste of the season in jars for the cold days ahead. Vegetable zacusca is a traditional dish, full of flavor and aromas, reminding us of family meals during winter. This mushroom zacusca recipe is simple but requires a little patience and a lot of love. Let's discover together how to prepare it step by step!

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 2 hours
Total time: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 16 jars of 400 g

Ingredients:
- 1 kg champignon mushrooms
- 1 kg other mushrooms (or your favorite mushrooms)
- 2 kg kapia peppers
- 2 kg gogosar peppers
- 2 kg onions
- 0.5 kg carrots
- 250 ml oil (preferably sunflower or olive oil)
- 0.8 kg tomato paste
- salt (to taste)
- 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
- 2 bay leaves

Preparation:

Step 1: Preparing the vegetables
Start by peeling the onion and carrot. Wash them well, then chop them finely using a blender or a knife. This will allow the vegetables to cook evenly and quickly, contributing to a smoother final texture.

Step 2: Roasting the peppers
Wash the kapia and gogosar peppers, then roast them on a grill or in a hot pan. Roasting will give them a special smoky flavor. Once roasted, peel off the skin and chop them in a blender. This step is crucial for achieving a velvety texture in your zacusca.

Step 3: Grating the mushrooms
Clean the mushrooms and wash them well. Use a large grater to chop them finely. The mushrooms add a rich taste and a distinct flavor to your zacusca.

Step 4: Cooking the vegetables
In a double-bottomed pot (to avoid sticking), add the chopped onion and carrot. Add a cup of water and let them boil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. When the onion becomes translucent, add the mushrooms and roasted peppers.

Step 5: Adding the spices
Let the mixture boil for another 10-15 minutes. Then, add the tomato paste, salt, black peppercorns, and bay leaves. These ingredients not only add delicious taste but also color and aroma to the dish.

Step 6: Baking in the oven
Transfer the pot to a preheated oven at 180°C and let the zacusca bake for 1.5 - 2 hours. It is important to stir occasionally to ensure it doesn’t stick and that the flavors combine perfectly.

Step 7: Bottling
When the zacusca is ready, fill the sterilized jars with this hot delicacy. Make sure the jars are warm to prevent cracking. Seal the jars tightly and turn them upside down, wrapping them with a thick towel to cool gradually. This helps create a vacuum that will keep the zacusca fresh for a long time.

Practical tips:
- Jar sterilization: Make sure the jars are well sterilized before filling. You can do this by boiling or washing them in the dishwasher at high temperatures.
- Variations: You can add other vegetables to taste, such as zucchini or eggplant, or experiment with various spices like sweet paprika or curry for an exotic touch.
- Serving: Zacusca is perfect on slices of toasted bread, alongside cheese or as a side dish for various meat dishes.

Nutritional information:
Vegetable zacusca is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, being low in calories. It is rich in fiber, contributing to healthy digestion. When prepared with olive oil, it also adds healthy fatty acids beneficial for the heart. A 100 g serving of zacusca contains approximately 80-100 calories, depending on the ingredients used.

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use canned mushrooms?
Yes, but the final taste will be different. Fresh mushrooms offer a much more intense flavor.
- How can I store zacusca for longer?
Make sure the jars are tightly sealed and keep them in a cool, dark place.
- Can it be frozen?
It is recommended not to freeze zacusca, as the texture of the vegetables may change.

Now that you know how to prepare a delicious zacusca, all that’s left is to gather your ingredients and get to work. Enjoy the autumn flavors and the time spent in the kitchen! You might even discover a family recipe that will become a tradition every autumn. Bon appétit!