Zucchini caviar

8 servings

40 minutes

Zucchini caviar is a popular dish in Russian cuisine that has won love for its delicate taste and versatility. It first appeared in the USSR as an affordable and nutritious product. The main ingredient, zucchini, gives the caviar softness, while the combination of vegetables and spices provides a rich flavor. The light acidity of tomatoes, sweetness of carrots, and spicy notes of garlic make this caviar an ideal addition to bread, flatbreads or main dishes. Stewed to a creamy consistency, it is great for a snack or side dish. It can be consumed both cold and hot. This simple yet exquisite dish holds the warmth of home cooking and the taste of summer vegetables.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 110.9
• Proteins: 2.4g
• Fats: 5.4g
• Carbohydrates: 13.7g

Ingredients

• Zucchini: 2 pc
• Tomatoes: 2 pc
• Sweet pepper: 2 pc
• Carrot: 2 pc
• Onion: 2 pc
• Garlic: 4 clove
• Salt: to taste
• Ground black pepper: to taste
• Bay leaf: 4 pc
• Adjika: 0.5 tsp
• Tomato paste: 1 tbsp
• Olive oil: 2 tbsp
• Provencal herbs: to taste

Cooking steps

1. Prepare the vegetables: peel the onion, garlic, and carrot; remove the seeds from the pepper; it is not necessary to peel the tomatoes and zucchini, just cut off the inedible parts.

   Required ingredients:

   • Onion: 2 pieces
   • Garlic: 4 cloves
   • Carrot: 2 pieces
   • Sweet pepper: 2 pieces
   • Tomatoes: 2 pieces
   • Zucchini: 2 pieces

2. Heat a saucepan or skillet and pour in oil. The temperature is medium.

   Required ingredients:

   • Olive oil: 2 tablespoons

3. Dice the onion. Sauté it with bay leaf for 2-3 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Onion: 2 pieces
   • Bay leaf: 4 pieces

4. Dice the carrot and add it to the onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly.

   Required ingredients:

   • Carrot: 2 pieces

5. Cut into cubes and add zucchini, bell pepper, and tomatoes to the pan in turns, waiting 2-3-4 minutes between each type. This is the time you can use to chop the next vegetables.

   Required ingredients:

   • Zucchini: 2 pieces
   • Sweet pepper: 2 pieces
   • Tomatoes: 2 pieces

6. Add finely chopped garlic, adjika, tomato paste, and a mix of herbs to the vegetables in the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Garlic: 4 cloves
   • Adjika: 0.5 teaspoon
   • Tomato paste: 1 tablespoon
   • Provencal herbs:  to taste

7. Finally, add pepper and salt to taste, and simmer for another 3-5 minutes.

   Required ingredients:

   • Ground black pepper:  to taste
   • Salt:  to taste

8. Serve with fresh baguette, crisps, Uzbek flatbread, or as a side dish to rice, pasta, or meat, poultry, and fish dishes.