Smooth Zucchini Caviar Recipe with Tomato and Garlic

Name: Smooth Zucchini Caviar Recipe with Tomato and Garlic
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: About 5 servings
Cuisine: Ukrainian
Ingredients: 1 kg zucchini, peeled and diced; 200 g onion, diced; 150 g carrot, grated; 100 g tomato paste; 50 ml sunflower oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; to taste salt and black pepper; 2 tbsp chopped dill or parsley, optional

A smooth, smaller-batch zucchini spread with carrot, onion, tomato paste and garlic.

By Savva LoginovUpdated October 2, 2026

Total 1 hr 5 minMakes About 5 servings

Jump to Recipe

This classic zucchini caviar uses half as much zucchini as the earlier chunky homestyle page and finishes with a smooth texture. The source measures one kilogram of zucchini with 200 grams of onion, 150 grams of carrot and 100 grams of tomato paste. Sweat the onion and carrot, soften the squash, then simmer the paste until the raw tomato taste disappears. Garlic and herbs go in during the last few minutes. Blend only after the vegetables are thoroughly tender and the excess water has cooked off. Serve the spread warm or cold. The original hot-fill preserving suggestion is untested, so keep finished caviar in the refrigerator.

Recipe card

Smooth Zucchini Caviar Recipe with Tomato and Garlic

Prep 25 minCook 40 minTotal 1 hr 5 minYield About 5 servings

Equipment: Deep skillet, grater, blender, spatula

Ingredients

1 kg zucchini, peeled and diced 200 g onion, diced 150 g carrot, grated 100 g tomato paste 50 ml sunflower oil 3 cloves garlic, minced to taste salt and black pepper 2 tbsp chopped dill or parsley, optional

Instructions

Prepare vegetables
Peel mature zucchini and remove large seeds. Dice zucchini and onion; grate the carrot.
Soften aromatics
Heat oil in a deep skillet. Cook onion until translucent, then add carrot and cook until soft.
Cook zucchini
Add zucchini and cook, stirring often, until fully tender and much of its liquid is gone.
Season and reduce
Stir in tomato paste, salt and pepper. Simmer gently 10–15 minutes; add garlic and optional herbs for the final few minutes.
Blend and chill
Rest 10 minutes, blend smooth, cool quickly and refrigerate.

How to tell when it is ready

Vegetables are fully tender and the smooth spread holds softly on a spoon.

Tips

Use a deep pan to catch splashes.
Keep tomato paste moving to avoid scorching.
Cook away visible liquid before blending.
Blend only after the mixture cools slightly.

Serving suggestions

Spread on warm toast.
Offer with boiled potatoes.
Serve beside baked chicken.
Add to a grain bowl.

Make ahead

Wash and measure ingredients ahead; keep perishable ingredients refrigerated until cooking.

Storage

Refrigerate covered up to 4 days or freeze portions.

Food safety

Do not store hot-filled jars on the pantry shelf. This is a refrigerated spread without a validated canning process.

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from chunky zucchini caviar?

This version uses a one-kilogram batch, exact onion and carrot weights, and a blended finish rather than visible zucchini pieces.

How should I store smooth classic zucchini caviar?

Refrigerate covered up to 4 days or freeze portions.

About the author

Savva Loginov

Savva Loginov writes about traditional Ukrainian cooking, including regional dishes, heritage baking and the customs behind familiar recipes. His English guides explain each dish’s context alongside clear, practical cooking instructions.