Vegetable stew for winter

Vegetable stew for winter: a delicious, flavorful recipe

Every winter, when the temperature drops and the days become darker, we all crave a warm, nourishing dish. Vegetable stew is an excellent choice, not only from a culinary perspective but also for health. This recipe will help you preserve your favorite vegetables for the cold days, offering you an authentic taste and a special aroma. Let's get started!

Preparation time
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Cooking time: 1 hour
- Total time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
- Servings: 7-8 jars of 330 ml

Necessary ingredients
- 600 g red bell peppers
- 500 g yellow bell peppers
- 400 g onions
- 350 g carrots
- 100 g celery
- 100 g parsley
- 500 g tomatoes
- 300 ml tomato paste
- 100 g rice
- Salt (to taste)
- Ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 bay leaf
- Chopped celery and parsley leaves (for decoration)
- 300 ml oil

History of the recipe
Vegetable stew is a traditional recipe that has been passed down from generation to generation. It was often prepared in the fall when garden vegetables were at their peak, being an effective method of preserving them for winter. Just as every family has its unique recipe, vegetable stew becomes a family story, full of memories and moments spent around the table.

Preparing the ingredients
1. Cleaning and chopping the vegetables: Start by cleaning all the vegetables. Chop the onion finely, dice the carrot into small cubes, and grate the parsley and celery (use the large grater). Cut the peppers into cubes, and peel and dice the tomatoes.
2. Helpful tip: To peel tomatoes more easily, you can immerse them for a few seconds in boiling water, then in cold water. The skin will come off effortlessly.

Cooking the stew
3. Heating the oil: In a large pot, add 300 ml of oil and heat it over medium heat.
4. Sautéing the onion: Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Adding the roots: Once the onion is ready, add the carrots, celery, and grated parsley. Stir well and let them sauté for 10-15 minutes until softened.
6. Adding the peppers: Now is the time to add the diced peppers. Continue to cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the peppers become soft.
7. Tomatoes and tomato paste: Add the diced tomatoes and tomato paste, along with salt, pepper, and the bay leaf. Let the stew simmer on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces and oil starts to appear on the surface, which will take about 20-30 minutes.
8. Preparing the rice: Meanwhile, boil the rice separately in salted water. Do not cook it completely; you want it to be only half-cooked.
9. Combining the ingredients: Once the rice is ready, add it to the stew, along with the chopped celery and parsley leaves. Let everything simmer together for another 10-15 minutes until the rice absorbs the flavors.

Preserving the stew
10. Bottling: Once the stew is ready, take the sterilized jars and fill them with hot stew, leaving about 1 cm of space at the top.
11. Sealing: Cap the jars and place them in a pot with warm water. Cover them with a kitchen towel and simmer on low heat for 30-40 minutes. This process helps preserve the stew.
12. Storing: After boiling, let the jars cool to room temperature, then store them in cool, dark places.

Serving suggestions
Vegetable stew is perfect as a main dish, but you can also serve it as a side. Pair it with a slice of homemade fresh bread or a crunchy green salad. Additionally, a glass of white or red wine will perfectly complement the meal.

Nutritional benefits
This vegetable stew is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals due to the variety of vegetables used. Peppers are rich in vitamin C, carrots provide beta-carotene, and rice brings complex carbohydrates, ensuring you have the energy you need. Moreover, it is a low-calorie recipe, making it ideal for a balanced diet.

Frequently asked questions
- Can I add other vegetables? Of course! You can experiment with zucchini, eggplant, or peas, depending on your preferences.
- How can I enhance the flavor of the stew? Add spices like sweet paprika or chili for a spicier taste.
- How can I make it vegetarian? This recipe is already vegetarian. Just ensure that the oil is plant-based.

Variations
- Meat vegetable stew: Add diced chicken or pork, sautéed together with the onion at the beginning.
- Spicy stew: Add hot peppers or chili flakes for an extra kick.

Vegetable stew is not just a recipe, but a culinary experience that will bring your family together, enriching the meal with flavor and tradition. So, put on your apron, gather the ingredients, and enjoy the cooking process!