Zucchini Caviar in a Frying Pan
Description
A homemade winter preserve. The spread is quick and easy to make—the main thing is to sauté the chopped onion first until it turns golden and develops a rich flavor, and only then add the zucchini and tomatoes. Add the tomatoes at the very end, since the sliced zucchini also needs to brown lightly and absorb the vegetable oil. If you like, you can add grated carrot, celery stalk, parsley, or dill. You can add dried ground garlic to taste.
Instructions
- 1
Step 1
Prepare the listed ingredients. Wash the tomatoes, zucchini, and peeled yellow onion. Trim the stems from the zucchini and cut out the green cores from the tomatoes.
- 2
Step 2
Dice the onion into small cubes and heat vegetable oil in a deep-sided skillet. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 3–4 minutes until golden brown.
- 3
Step 3
While the onion is frying, slice the zucchini into slices no more than 1 cm thick, then cut the slices into small or medium cubes. If you prefer a more paste-like spread, dice them a little finer.
- 4
Step 4
Cut the tomatoes the same way. If you like, you can blanch them first: pour boiling water over them and let them stand for 2–3 minutes to remove the skins. Tomatoes can easily be replaced with tomato paste or canned tomato purée without pulp.
- 5
Step 5
Add the sliced zucchini to the pan and sauté with the onion for another 3–4 minutes. Don't worry—the zucchini will release their juice and the sliced onion won't burn.
- 6
Step 6
Then add the diced tomatoes, but not before the zucchini cubes have become slightly tender while still holding their shape.
- 7
Step 7
Add the sugar and salt, pour in the vinegar, and simmer everything for about 15 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. You can cover the container with a lid so the mixture doesn’t splatter everywhere.
- 8
Step 8
Then peel the garlic cloves and mince them with a press or a sharp knife. Add to the caviar and mix. Taste it and adjust if necessary.
- 9
Step 9
Simmer for another 2–3 minutes and turn off the heat. At this stage, you can pack it into scalded jars and seal them with lids, preserving skillet zucchini caviar for winter.
- 10
Step 10
Place the caviar on a plate or in a bowl, chill, and serve at the table with slices of baguette, lavash, white bread, croutons, and the like. Enjoy your meal!