The Ajvar, a vegetable condiment made from roasted red peppers, is at the center of a culinary debate in the Balkans. Dua Lipa, the famous singer with British and Albanian nationality, expressed her enthusiasm for Ajvar, sparking commentary across the Balkan region.
Each country in the Balkan Peninsula claims Ajvar as part of its culinary heritage. The very first recipe appeared in the Grand Serbian Cookbook in the 19th century, written by Katarina Popović. The recipe included peppers and eggplants.
The most traditional version includes red peppers, oil, salt, and vinegar. Other local recipes add eggplants, garlic, onions, carrots, tomatoes, sugar, and chili. Ajvar is prepared in the fall and preserved in jars for the winter.
In France, one can find Kaïvar brand Ajvar at La Grande épicerie de Paris. These recipes are cooked and packaged in Serbia. They come in several versions: mild, spicy, or with fresh tomatoes. It is delicious on toast, with fresh sheep cheese and raw vegetables.