Bulgarian ljutenica
Ljutenica (sometimes you may come across the name lutenica, etc.) is in Bulgarian cuisine a popular dip served with meat. Lutenica can be found all over the Balkans, but its origin is Bulgarian. In North Macedonia, its counterpart is ajvar made from roasted peppers, and pindžur, which also includes tomatoes and eggplant. The consistency of ljutenica is somewhere between a dip, sauce, or vegetable chutney. The basic ingredients are tomatoes, peppers, garlic, pepper, oil, salt, and sugar, which gives ljutenica a pleasantly sweet taste. There are several variations of ljutenica, and it can also include eggplant, carrot, parsley, or chili peppers.
In restaurants, you will automatically receive it in a small bowl along with the meat, which it complements perfectly. However, it can also be eaten with bread as a spread.
Bon appetit!
