A Greek winter appetizer made from eggplant will delight lovers of spicy pickled vegetables. In order for guests and family to enjoy these vegetables, you need to learn how to cook them correctly. A canned snack will fit perfectly into the cold season on the dinner table. It can also be served for a holiday, as a separate original salad. On various websites on the Internet you can watch video recipes about the rules for preparing this salad.
Ingredients for cooking
Greek eggplant for the winter is a truly royal recipe. Photos and videos can be viewed on the website.At first glance, it is very complex, but in fact it contains very simple products, and it is easy to prepare.
For one small jar you need to take two medium eggplants. Wash them, cut off stains, holes and imperfections on the skin. Vegetables must be fresh.
In addition to eggplant add:
- One bell pepper;
- Carrot;
- Two onions;
- 3-4 heads of garlic;
- Bay leaf;
- Peppercorns;
- Vegetable oil 50 grams;
- Sugar and salt to taste, about a tablespoon;
- Seasonings: curry, paprika, coriander, black pepper, white pepper;
- Greens: basil, thyme, cilantro, parsley, celery.
- Two tomatoes.
You can take any greens you like. You can do without it completely. But it adds flavor and spice. Salt, sugar and seasoning are added to taste. To keep the snack well, you need to add a little regular table vinegar.
How to cook step by step
An eggplant appetizer should be prepared in one go. It is important not to confuse anything and follow the recipe in the photo and video.
The highest quality vegetables are selected, free from rot and disease. They are washed and dried. Carrots and onions must first be peeled. Divide the garlic into cloves.
Eggplants are cut into circles or strips, as you like. Carrots, onions and garlic are cut into small cubes. Peppers with diced tomatoes.
Take out a frying pan or saucepan and start cooking. Lay out the vegetables. Add oil, vinegar, sugar and salt. Simmer for a few minutes after boiling.
Tomatoes are added at the end, along with seasonings and herbs. This appetizer is considered spicy, so you don’t have to skimp on the garlic and hot pepper. Simmer for about ten minutes with the lid tightly closed. Then, put the salad on low heat and cook for another ten minutes. The mixture should not gurgle, just simmer quietly.
Lids and jars should be prepared in advance. They are sterilized, washed in hot water, and scalded with hot steam. Then dry and allow to drain.
The warm snack is placed in jars. If there is anything left, you can eat it the same day. The rest is rolled up, screwed, and turned upside down until it cools completely. It is better to store the snack in the cellar or in the refrigerator. You can eat it after a couple of months, but many people open it to enjoy it even earlier.
Important rules for authentic Greek appetizers
Cooking real Greek eggplants for the winter is an art. The video recipe shows that all the vegetables are chopped quite coarsely. This is a little unconventional for Russian snacks. It is no coincidence that this one was called Greek.
After all, it is in Greece that all vegetables are loved and appreciated, like in no other country. Moreover, in salads, each vegetable is highlighted there, without hiding it or disguising it. So it is here: the larger the vegetables in the appetizer, the better and tastier. It’s better not to chop even the garlic, but to cut it into strips or rings. Carrots should come in large cubes.
Another important rule is that the real taste of the product is discovered only some time after screwing on the lids. Therefore, it is better to wait a few months before trying it.
The most important vegetable here is eggplant. There should be more of it than other vegetables. The appetizer is spicy, so you don’t have to skimp on hot peppers, black and red.
It is important to be careful not to overcook the food in the pan. They should crisp slightly when cold. The main feature of the Greek snack is that it is bright, piquant and looks beautiful in a jar or plate. That is why the recipe includes colorful vegetables, as well as herbs.
Reviews from culinary experts
Angela: I tried this appetizer while visiting my mother-in-law’s friend.I decided to make it myself this year since there was a good harvest. Spicy eggplants just melt in your mouth. Other vegetables complement them with their sweetness. If you add a little more carrots and onions, the snack turns out to be spicy and sweet. Men are especially delighted with this salad. The appetizer is good with potatoes or spaghetti.
Ideal with charcoal-grilled meat. You can add a little tomato paste during cooking for some piquancy.
This appetizer is incredibly tasty, especially when it has been marinated for several months. Created specifically for lovers of spicy dishes. Learn how to cook eggplants correctly, and delighted guests will definitely ask for the recipe. Happy preparations!
