Ajvar has many ingredients such as red bell peppers (crveni piperki), eggplant (modar patlidzan), oil (maslo), salt (sol), vinegar (ocet), and garlic (luks). Ajvar is used as a spread or dip like salsa or guacamole. I like to put Ajvar on bread and crackers as a snack or a side to a larger meal. It is so delicious!
The first time I tried Ajvar was during a school wide potluck. A potluck is a gathering where every person brings at least one recipe or food. During the potluck, my students introduced me to Ajvar, explaining that it was one of their favorite snacks. My students spread Ajvar over a piece of bread and handed it to me to try. I still remember my first bite-it was so tasty and flavorful! As a fruit and vegetable lover, I could taste the sweet red bell peppers and eggplant mixed perfectly with the garlic, vinegar and salt seasoning. Ajvar quickly became one of my favorite foods!
After the potluck, not only was I excited to have found a new favorite snack, but I also felt more connected to my Macedonian community. As I watched my students beam with excitement as I tasted Ajvar for the first time, I learned that it is more than a snack. Ajvar represents the people, traditions and culture of Macedonia. I felt honored that my students were eager to share a piece of their community with me!
In Macedonia, making Ajvar is an activity done with friends and family. The recipe for Ajvar has many steps and ingredients so it is important to have lots of helping hands. Usually, each person is assigned a step in the recipe. Making Ajvar takes about two days.
