18 Comments
Oct 19, 2022Liked by Michael Jensen

This makes we want to look for Ajvars in my local Kroger or Publix. Maybe I’ll find some.

Expand full comment
author

Go for it and good luck!

Expand full comment
Oct 19, 2022Liked by Brent Hartinger

Fantastic post, as always, BUT…. https://nationalpost.com/life/food/only-time-will-bell-are-green-red-and-yellow-peppers-all-the-same

Yes, all peppers start out green (i.e. unripe), but that doesn’t make them “green peppers” l

And yes, those long curvy red shepherd peppers are THE BEST (as my Hungarian born mom would have attested) - even for stuffing. Much sweeter when cooked than even red bell peppers.

Expand full comment
Oct 19, 2022·edited Oct 19, 2022Liked by Michael Jensen

We just had our first sampling of avar in a lovely restuarant outside Zagreb near the medvadgrad castle. It is delicious!

Expand full comment
author

Wonderful!

Expand full comment
Oct 19, 2022Liked by Michael Jensen

That tangy-smelling orange mush looks amazing. That would have been a wonderful experience. Thank you for the recipe and am so glad to have found your blog.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you so much!

Expand full comment

Oh my! This sounds delicious! I love how welcoming people can be if only we work up the courage to ask questions. Also, I never knew paprika was made from red peppers! This explains a lot about the difference between Hungarian paprika and our regular paprika here in the States.

Expand full comment
author

It does indeed!

Expand full comment

I’ve never heard of ajvar, but it sounds delicious, one of those magical concoctions that seem simple, but open up worlds of possibilities. I may attempt a small batch. Thanks for a fascinating post.

Expand full comment
author

Of course!

Expand full comment
Oct 19, 2022Liked by Michael Jensen

Love this! And I love ajvar...I have it before and loved it. I just wish bell peppers weren't so expensive here in Washington State. Maybe I'll try making a smaller batch!

Expand full comment
author

Yeah, that was thing about red peppers in Seattle -- they were crazy expensive. I won't tell you what they cost in Eastern Europe. You might never speak to us again....

Expand full comment

I love everything about this - food is such a personal subject for so many people and it is my FAVORITE way to connect with a new location!

Also ..

"And I felt truly shocked when I learned that red and yellow bell peppers are actually just green peppers that have been allowed to fully ripen.

And how about the fact that paprika — the spice — is made from dried red peppers?"

I learned both of these things last year and they still blow my mind.

Smoked paprika is one of my all-time favorite spices and I try to find ways to sneak it into almost everything :D

Expand full comment
author

You know, we rarely season things with paprikia. AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHY WE DON'T! LOL.

Expand full comment
Oct 19, 2022Liked by Michael Jensen

I’ll just grab 20 kg of peppers...

Expand full comment
author

Grab me some too, please!

Expand full comment
author

not that much! LOL

Expand full comment