Smooth Refrigerator Zucchini Caviar with Lemon
Zucchini, carrot and onion cook down with tomato paste into a soft vegetable spread.
Zucchini, carrot and onion cook down with tomato paste into a soft vegetable spread. Let the zucchini release and evaporate its moisture before blending, otherwise the finished caviar will be watery. The source mentions winter storage without a tested canning process, so this version is made for the refrigerator or freezer. Serve it chilled on dark bread, with potatoes or beside roasted vegetables. Heat half the oil in a wide pot and cook onion and carrot 8 minutes until soft. Add remaining oil and zucchini; cook uncovered 25 to 30 minutes, stirring, until very soft and excess moisture evaporates. Add tomato paste, salt, sugar and pepper and simmer 8 minutes.
Recipe card
Smooth Refrigerator Zucchini Caviar with Lemon
Equipment: Knife, cutting board, measuring tools and suitable pot or skillet
Ingredients
Instructions
Aromatics
Heat half the oil in a wide pot and cook onion and carrot 8 minutes until soft.
Zucchini
Add remaining oil and zucchini; cook uncovered 25 to 30 minutes, stirring, until very soft and excess moisture evaporates.
Flavor
Add tomato paste, salt, sugar and pepper and simmer 8 minutes.
Blend
Remove from heat and blend carefully until smooth; return to low heat for 3 minutes and stir in lemon juice.
Cool
Divide into shallow containers, cool promptly and refrigerate before serving.
How to tell when it is ready
Divide into shallow containers, cool promptly and refrigerate before serving.
Tips
- Heat half the oil in a wide pot and cook onion and carrot 8 minutes until soft.
- Add remaining oil and zucchini.
- Add tomato paste, salt, sugar and pepper and simmer 8 minutes.
- Remove from heat and blend carefully until smooth.
Troubleshooting
- If spread is watery, simmer uncovered longer.
- If it scorches, lower heat and stir more often.
Substitutions
- Use olive oil for sunflower oil.
- Use a little reduced tomato passata for paste.
Variations
- Add mild paprika.
- Leave the spread slightly chunky.
Serving suggestions
- Spread on rye toast.
- Serve with boiled potatoes.
- Add beside roasted vegetables.
- Top with fresh dill.
Make ahead
Prepare the measured ingredients in advance. Refrigerate covered up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months; do not store on a pantry shelf.
Storage
Refrigerate covered up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months; do not store on a pantry shelf.
Food safety
No tested shelf-stable canning process is supplied; cool promptly and keep refrigerated.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know refrigerated zucchini caviar spread is ready?
Divide into shallow containers, cool promptly and refrigerate before serving.
How should I store refrigerated zucchini caviar spread?
Refrigerate covered up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months; do not store on a pantry shelf.
Spread on rye toast. Refrigerate covered up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months; do not store on a pantry shelf.
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