Heart-Healthy Homemade Ajvar (Aivar)

Elevate your appetizer game with this Heart-Healthy Homemade Ajvar (Aivar), a smoky, flavorful Balkan-inspired roasted red pepper and eggplant spread that's as nutritious as it is delicious. This vibrant recipe features wholesome ingredients like roasted red bell peppers, eggplants, and garlic, perfectly seasoned with a splash of lemon juice, smoked paprika, and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Naturally vegan and low in fat, this ajvar is an ideal choice for heart-conscious eaters. With its velvety yet slightly textured consistency, it pairs wonderfully as a dip with fresh veggies, a spread for crusty bread, or a garnish for grilled meats. Whether you're meal prepping or entertaining, this easy-to-make condiment comes together in under an hour and stores beautifully for a week, making it a versatile and healthy addition to your culinary repertoire.

Nutriscore Rating: 85/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 6 large Red bell peppers
• 2 medium Eggplants
• 3 large Garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).

Step 2

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.

Step 3

Cut the red bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and stems.

Step 4

Pierce the eggplants a few times with a fork to allow steam to escape during roasting.

Step 5

Place the pepper halves, cut side down, and whole eggplants on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6

Roast in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the skins of the peppers are charred and the eggplants are soft and collapsed.

Step 7

While the vegetables are roasting, peel the garlic cloves and set aside.

Step 8

Once roasted, remove the vegetables from the oven. Cover the peppers with a clean kitchen towel or place them in a zip-top bag to steam for about 10 minutes, making it easier to peel.

Step 9

Once cooled, peel the skins off the peppers and eggplants. Place the peeled flesh in a large mixing bowl.

Step 10

Mince the peeled garlic cloves and add them to the bowl with the roasted vegetables.

Step 11

Using an immersion blender or food processor, blend the mixture until smooth but slightly chunky, depending on your preference.

Step 12

Stir in the lemon juice, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, and black pepper.

Step 13

Taste and adjust the seasonings if necessary, keeping the heart-healthy theme in mind.

Step 14

Finely chop the fresh parsley and fold it into the ajvar.

Step 15

Transfer the ajvar to a clean jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld. It can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

Step 16

Enjoy your heart-healthy homemade ajvar as a spread, dip, or condiment!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1774.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	539.1

Total Fat 4.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 1.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 62.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 111.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.7g	0%
Total Sugars 58.2g
Protein 19.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 182.2mg	0%
Iron 7.8mg	0%
Potassium 3959.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 7.1%

Protein: 13.7%

Carbs: 79.3%