It’s summer, so welcome to the world of Sataraš. This is a beloved dish in Serbian cuisine that embodies comfort, simplicity and rich wholesome flavours. It’s a light vegetable stew, with peppers, onion, and tomatoes. If you’re looking to explore traditional Balkan dishes, Sataraš is a must-try.
It’s during summer that you’ll get a whole lot of pepper recipes prepared because it’s paprika season and this is on top of that list. This dish is not talked about a lot because it’s a simple everyday dish and doesn’t get as much appreciation; probably because of the simplicity.
Also, the tomatoes in Serbia are amazingly delicious; sweet and juicy that you just snack on them, they do add to how delicious Sataraš is.
This recipe is easy, straight to the point and delicious. Moreover, this is a versatile dish that can be served as a side, main course, or even a breakfast option with some fresh bread. You may also use leftovers for shakshuka if have any left, it tastes amazing.
Ingredients
The ingredients are typically cooked together until they meld into a delicious, hearty stew that’s both comforting and delicious. The beauty of Sataraš lies in its simplicity.
- I add garlic to this sataraš mainly because I love garlic, but it also elevates the dish. Parsley is also added at the end, which is optional but makes a great difference too.
- You need really good tomatoes for this dish because they provide the base for the stew. They have to be fresh and ripe so you maximise their flavour.
- Onion is a crucial ingredient that adds depth and sweetness. When you saute the onion, go low and slow to extract as much sweetness and flavour from them.
- Red and yellow bell peppers are usually used for this dish.
A taste of home
For many Serbians, Sataraš is more than just a dish, it’s a taste of home. The marriage of these staple summer ingredients produces a beautiful, comforting smell that’s so familiar and homely.
If you’re new to Serbian cuisine, like I was; Sataraš is an excellent dish to start with. It’s easy to make, full of flavour and brings a sense of warmth and comfort that’s kind of hard to beat.
Tips to make your Sataraš even better
- Use fresh ingredients. The fresher the vegetables, the better your Sataraš will be.
- Don’t rush the cooking process. Low and slow is the key. Allow the vegetables to cook slowly to bring out their natural sweetness and that will ensure the flavours meld together perfectly.
- You may experiment with additions to make it your own.
So, bring the taste of Serbia into your kitchen and discover the simple, wholesome pleasure of this traditional dish. Prijatno!
Sataraš
Ingredients
- 2 Med Onions
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- 2 Med Red sweet peppers
- 2 Med Green sweet peppers
- 5 Med Sweet tomatoes
- 1 Tsp Vegeta
- 1 Tsp Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- Medium dice onions and peppers
- Finely chop the garlic
- add tomatoes to boiling water and peel after 10 minutes, then dice them as well
- In a large pan, saute onions till soft and transliscen. For about 15 minutes
- Add the peppers, let them cook for about 10 minutes
- Add the garlic, let it cook for abot two minutes
- Add diced tomatoes, vegeta and cook for about 40 minutes or until the stew reaches a good consistency
- Season with parsley (Totally optional)
- Serve and enjoy
What if i want to make it with ground meat? When do i add it? My mother in law is Bosnian and she has cooked it like that.
Hi Paola, if you want to make it with ground meat, you’ll add onion, then the ground meat. Let it cook a little then add paprika, fry more and then the tomato last. You’ll then let everything cook together until well done.