Grilled Peppers

A Romanian favorite dish for the end of the summer season

Ștefan Baciu, 08.09.2019, 13:50

One of the most popular
preparations in Romanian cuisine specific to the summer and early autumn are
grilled peppers, in various forms. It is one of the simplest of preparations,
suitable for making at home or while on a picnic. To begin with, you should
pick larger and straighter, less gnarly peppers, in order to have them cook
more evenly. After washing them, you set them straight on the grill. If you
make them at home, it is best to use a metal sheet set straight over a medium
heat open flame. You should keep a close eye on them, because they can easily
be overcooked and burned. Keep turning them at regular interval to have them be
evenly cooked. After you get them the right consistency, put them in a covered
vessel, and sprinkle salt generously and evenly on them. Don’t give in to the
temptation of washing them, simply take off the skin, which now detaches very
easily. Traditionally, they are seasoned with a vinaigrette made of the oil of
your choice, vinegar, and water. Usually, finely chopped fresh parsley is used
as a decoration and as a flavor enhancer. Alternatively, you can use lemon
juice instead of vinegar. They are a very popular side dish, usually with
eggplant puree.

Another way of serving them is to make
a white sauce, based on sour cream, or tomato sauce with fried onion on top.
One popular recipe is to combine them with olives and garlic, as a side dish
for fish filet. Remove the cores of the peppers, and lay them on the bottom of
an oven proof glass dish, which you oil in advance. Put the fish filets and the
pitted olives on top, with minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper, and bake
in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes, until the fish cooks properly. Enjoy!