Zbornjak - Serbian Vegetable Stew

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 eggplant, diced 1 eggplant, diced
• 4 tomatoes, diced 4 tomatoes, diced
• 2 tablespoons (30g) tomato paste 2 tablespoons (30g) tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon (5g) paprika 1 teaspoon (5g) paprika
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 12g
• Protein: 4g
• Fiber: 7g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the diced bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant to the pot. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. 4.
   Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, paprika, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
5. 5.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
6. 6.
   Remove the bay leaves and stir in the lemon juice.
7. 7.
   Serve the Zbornjak hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Eggplant — To prevent the eggplant from becoming mushy, sprinkle it with salt and let it sit for 15 minutes before cooking. Rinse off the salt and pat dry before adding it to the stew.

Tips & Tricks

• For a heartier version, you can add cooked beans or lentils to the stew.
• Adjust the spiciness by adding chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce if desired.
• Serve the Zbornjak with crusty bread or over a bed of fluffy rice for a complete meal.
• Feel free to customize the vegetables based on what's in season or your personal preferences.
• The stew tastes even better the next day, so consider making it in advance and reheating it for a quick and delicious meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Zbornjak hot in individual bowls, garnished with fresh parsley. Accompany it with a slice of crusty bread or a side of fluffy rice to soak up the flavorful juices.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can drizzle a swirl of olive oil on top of the stew and sprinkle some additional chopped parsley. Serve it in colorful ceramic bowls to showcase the vibrant colors of the vegetables.