# Homemade Ajvar Recipe – A Rich and Flavorful Roasted Pepper Spread
Homemade ajvar is a traditional Balkan spread prepared with roasted red peppers, eggplant, garlic, and a few simple seasonings. Its deep roasted flavor and creamy texture make it delicious with bread, grilled dishes, roasted vegetables, sandwiches, and cheese.
Making ajvar takes time, but most of the work involves roasting, peeling, and slowly cooking the vegetables. The result is a rich homemade spread that can be enjoyed immediately or stored for later.
## Recipe Overview
Preparation time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Roasting time: About 1 hour
Cooking time: 2–3 hours
Total time: About 4–5 hours
Yield: Approximately 8–10 medium jars
## Ingredients
* 10 kg ripe, fleshy red peppers
* 2 kg eggplants
* 5–6 fresh chili peppers, optional
* 500 ml sunflower oil or mild olive oil
* 2–3 heads of garlic
* 2–3 tablespoons salt, or to taste
* 2 tablespoons sugar
* 150 ml white vinegar
## Choosing the Best Peppers
Long, fleshy red peppers are ideal for ajvar because they have a naturally sweet flavor and contain less water than thinner varieties. Choose peppers that are:
* Fully ripe and bright red
* Firm and free from soft spots
* Heavy for their size
* Thick and fleshy
Good-quality peppers produce a richer flavor, brighter color, and thicker consistency.
## How to Make Homemade Ajvar
### 1. Prepare the vegetables
Wash the peppers, chili peppers, and eggplants thoroughly. Dry them well before roasting.
Leave the peppers whole. Prick the eggplants several times with a fork to prevent them from bursting during roasting.
