Vegetable stew in a jar

Vegetable Medley in a Jar: A Delight of Flavors for Winter

Who doesn't love the fresh aromas of summer vegetables? The vegetable medley in a jar is an excellent way to preserve their taste throughout winter. This recipe will not only fill your pantry with joy and flavor, but it will also provide a quick and delicious option for everyday meals. It can be served as is, as a side dish to a roast, or as a base for various dishes such as vegetable rice or stews.

Preparation time: 60 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Total time: 2 hours
Number of servings: 10 jars

Ingredients

- 1.2-1.5 kg eggplants
- 1.2-1.5 kg carrots
- 1 kg onion
- 1 kg red bell peppers or sweet peppers
- 1.2-1.5 kg tomatoes
- 1-2 zucchini (500-600 g)
- 2 peppers
- 1 large celery or 2 smaller ones
- 1 parsnip
- 4-5 bunches of greens (celery, parsley)
- 5-6 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 100 g sugar
- 1 liter of oil
- 1 packet of Pikant Fix (sweet or spicy)
- Thyme, marjoram, paprika, pepper, salt to taste

Preparing the Vegetable Medley

Step 1: Preparing the Vegetables

1. Roasting the eggplants: Start by roasting the eggplants. Place them on a tray and put them in the oven at 200 degrees Celsius for 30 minutes or until soft. Once cooled, peel them and let them drain.

2. Cleaning and cutting the vegetables: Clean the carrots, peppers, zucchini, celery, and parsnip. Cut the onion into larger cubes, the carrots and parsnip into thin slices, and the zucchini and peppers into strips. The tomatoes can be sliced, and the greens will be chopped finely.

3. Preparing the pepperoni slices: Cut the peppers into thin slices to add a crunchy note to the medley.

Step 2: Sautéing the Vegetables

4. Heating the oil: Divide the oil into two large pots and place them over medium heat.

5. Sautéing the vegetables: In the first pot, add the peppers and, after a few minutes, the tomatoes and zucchini. In the second pot, add the onion, carrots, celery, and parsnip. Add 0.5 liters of water to help soften the vegetables. Sauté both mixtures for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Boiling the Medley

6. The final combination: Once the vegetables are sautéed, combine everything into one pot. Add the chopped eggplants, greens, the packet of Pikant Fix, spices (thyme, marjoram, paprika, pepper, salt), and sugar. Mix well.

7. Boil the mixture: Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 4: Preparing the Jars

8. Sterilizing the jars: Place the jars on a kitchen towel in a pot. Fill the pot with cold water up to 2/3 and place it on low heat. When the water starts to boil, it’s time to fill the jars with the medley.

9. Filling the jars: Use a ladle or a wide-mouth cup to transfer the medley into the jars, filling them well. Seal the lids tightly.

10. Final sterilization: Place the filled jars back in the pot and let them sterilize for 10-15 minutes. After sterilization, remove them and let them cool completely on a clean towel.

Serving and Suggestions

The vegetable medley can be enjoyed both warm and cold. You can serve it as a side dish alongside a chicken or pork roast, or as a base for a vegetable soup. Additionally, when added to rice, it becomes a delicious and healthy main dish.

If you want a finer version, you can blend the vegetable mixture to make a carrot spread, which will be perfect on a slice of toasted bread.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use frozen vegetables?
It is recommended to use fresh vegetables for the best flavors and textures. Frozen vegetables may have a different consistency after cooking.

2. How can I adapt the recipe to make it vegetarian?
This recipe is already vegetarian, but you can also add other vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms to diversify the flavor.

3. How long can the medley be stored in a jar?
If properly sterilized, the medley can be stored for 6-12 months in the pantry.

Nutritional Benefits

The vegetable medley is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. It is rich in fiber due to the vegetables, which helps maintain digestive health. It also contains antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals.

Possible Variations

- Adding spices: You can experiment with different spices or herbs, such as oregano or basil, to customize the flavor of the medley.
- Including proteins: If you want to turn the medley into a main dish, you can add cooked chickpeas or lentils.

Conclusion

The vegetable medley in a jar is not only a practical recipe but also a way to preserve the flavors of summer throughout winter. It is simple to prepare, full of flavors, and most importantly, healthy. So, don’t hesitate to try this recipe and customize it to your taste. In every jar, you will preserve not just vegetables, but also summer memories!

 Ingredients: * 1.2-1.5 kg eggplants * 1.2-1.5 kg carrots * 1 kg onions * 1 kg red bell peppers * 1.2-1.5 kg tomatoes * 1-2 zucchinis (500-600 g) * 2 chili peppers * 1 large celery or 2 smaller ones * 1 parsnip * 4-5 bunches of herbs (celery, parsley) * 5-6 bay leaves * 1 teaspoon garlic granules * 100 g sugar * 1 liter oil * 1 packet sweet/spicy seasoning * thyme, marjoram, paprika, pepper, salt to taste