Ljutenica

Lyutenica ajvar and pindur

Ljutenica, Lyutenitsa or Lutenica (Bulgarian: лютеница, Serbian: љутеница, Macedonian: лутеница), (ljuto, lyuto or luto meaning spicy) is a national relish of Bulgaria, Macedonia and Serbia.

The ingredients include tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, onion, garlic, black pepper, vegetable oil, sugar and salt^[1].

Ljutenica may be slightly hotter (spicier) than the other popular relish Ajvar (Bulgarian tradition Ljutenica is less hot than Ajvar). In recent years, industrial production of ljutenica, as well as ajvar, has flourished. A large scale production of both relishes has popularized them outside the Balkans. In addition, it has to be noted that different regions and countries have substantially different interpretations of these relishes.

In Bulgaria, Ljutenitsa comes in a jar and is often used as a spread on toast and breads. It is also popularly eaten with many meats, meatballs and kebabcheta. Most households will have this in their house all year and it is a cherished favorite by many.

It comes in many varieties; smooth, with bits; with extra tomatoes, peppers or eggplant; and spicy or not. Many households make their own and Ljutenitsa is nearly always best homemade.

See also

• Ajvar, more orange in color and generally made with eggplant instead of tomatoes
• Pinđur, like Ljutenica and Ajvar but with eggplant.
• Matbucha, a Middle Eastern cooked salad of tomatoes and bell peppers

References

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