Mushroom spread

Mushroom Zacusca – A Delight for Cold Winters

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 3-4 jars of 400 g

In a world full of quick and instant dishes, mushroom zacusca remains a symbol of culinary tradition. This recipe for zacusca is not just a dish but an experience that connects us to simpler times when each ingredient was carefully selected and each jar filled represented a winter full of flavor.

A Touch of History

Zacusca is a beloved preserve originating from Eastern European cuisine, often served as an appetizer. It is usually a mixture of slowly cooked vegetables, enriched with spices. Whether served with freshly baked bread or cheese, mushroom zacusca is a perfect choice to bring a touch of warmth to cold winter evenings.

Ingredients

- 1 kg of mushrooms (preferably champignon or pleurotus)
- 2 large onions
- 2 leeks
- 100 ml oil (sunflower or olive)
- 500 g bell peppers or kapia (preferably roasted)
- 500 g tomatoes (or canned tomatoes)
- 1 large carrot
- 2-3 bay leaves
- Salt, to taste
- 4-5 garlic cloves
- Pepper, to taste
- A few coriander and allspice berries
- For spicy zacusca: 1 hot pepper or chili flakes (optional)

Follow the steps carefully to achieve perfect zacusca!

1. Preparing the Ingredients
Start by roasting the peppers. You can do this on a grill or in the oven until the skin becomes blackened and peels off easily. Once roasted, let them cool, then peel and chop them into small pieces.
Wash the mushrooms and slice or cube them. Finely chop the onion and leeks, and grate the peeled carrot. Blanch the tomatoes to remove the skin, then puree them using a food processor.

2. Cooking the Vegetables
In a heavy-bottomed pot, add the oil and heat it over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and leeks and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. It’s important not to burn them, just to make them translucent.
Once the onion has softened, add a cup of water and let the vegetables simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.

3. Adding Carrot and Mushrooms
Once the onion and leeks are ready, add the grated carrot and sliced mushrooms. The latter will add an umami flavor to your dish. Gently stir, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

4. Incorporating Tomatoes and Spices
When the mushrooms have softened, add the pureed tomatoes, salt, chopped garlic, pepper, and bay leaves. Mix everything well and let it boil, stirring frequently, until the liquid reduces to your desired consistency. You can adjust the taste with salt and spices according to your preferences.

5. Preparing Spicy Zacusca (optional)
If you want a spicy zacusca, take half of the mixture and place it in jars, then add the chopped hot pepper and chili flakes to the other half. Let it boil for another 5 minutes, then turn off the heat.

6. Preserving Zacusca
Pour the hot zacusca into sterilized jars, seal them tightly, and sterilize for 30 minutes, starting from when the water begins to boil. Once done, let the jars cool covered with towels or blankets to seal properly.

7. Serving and Tips
Mushroom zacusca is served cold or at room temperature, on slices of fresh bread, alongside cottage cheese or as a side dish to a main course. You can pair it with a warm drink, such as flavored tea or dry white wine.

Tips and Practical Advice

- To achieve a smoother zacusca, you can blend the vegetables with an immersion blender after cooking.
- Replace mushrooms with other seasonal vegetables, such as eggplant or zucchini, for an interesting variation.
- If you want to ensure your zacusca lasts longer, check that the jars are well sterilized and sealed tightly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is zacusca stored?
Zacusca is stored in cool, dark places. Once opened, it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

2. Can I add other ingredients?
Of course! Zacusca is versatile; you can add olives, hot peppers, or even nuts for an interesting texture.

3. Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, mushroom zacusca is completely vegetarian and can be consumed by vegans if you use vegetable oils without additives.

4. How many calories are in a serving of zacusca?
A serving of approximately 100 g of mushroom zacusca contains about 80-100 calories, depending on the amount of oil used.

Enjoy every spoonful of this mushroom zacusca, which will not only delight your taste buds but also reconnect you with culinary traditions of the past. Prepare it with love and share it with your loved ones! Bon appétit!