Gluten Free Condiments: Zergut Hot Ajvar

PRODUCT NAME:                     Hot Ajvar

COMPANY NAME:                     Zergut

COST:                                       $2.59

SIZE:                                        12 oz.

COST PER OZ:                         $0.21 

CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE:       No

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

ORGANIC:                                No

CERTIFICATION AGENCY:        N/A

VEGAN:                                   Yes

GLUTEN FREE FACILITY:         No

LOCATION OF FACILITY:         N/A

SHELF LIFE:                            1 Year +

*These statements are based on the information printed on the product packaging.  We cannot verify the accuracy of this information.  For verification of the statements above, please contact the manufacturer.               

REVIEW:

Taste:

When presented with a food titled “Ajvar” how could I not be excited? This product was completely foreign to me in every way and even the title of it revealed nothing about what I may find inside this beautiful jar full of bright red. I consulted the label to glean some insight about the product and was pleasantly surprised at the succinct and simple ingredients listed: eggplant, soybean oil, red peppers, hot peppers, sugar, and salt. When every listed ingredient is immediately identifiable and seems to lean toward the savory/spicy I know I’m in for a treat. I dug in immediately.

Without any background information about what this product was or how to use it I was left to my own devices to uncover its best culinary fit. Something about Ajvar screams “Middle Eastern flair” and so I decided to pair it with some hummus and tahini and eat it on a gluten-free teff tortilla. Immediately my taste buds thanked me.

Ajvar is a flavor explosion! The first note is definitely sweet: the sugar and red peppers dance across your tongue and immediately have the effect of a Mediterranean relish. A bit of a pickled or fermented taste pops up, and next the salt adds a touch of nuance. Finally it is all rounded out with a kick of spice to polish off the experience. Ajvar is no one-hit wonder! If one takes the time to truly experience Ajvar they will find that each bite is an experience that engages every flavor aspect possible. When paired with a creamy basic hummus a yin and yang occurs within the context of a tortilla vehicle delivering straight up deliciousness.

After taste testing, I found myself intrigued at Ajvar’s origins. When consulting my good friend the Internet, I discovered that Ajvar originates the cuisine of Serbia. It was commonly known as "Serbian salad" or "Serbian vegetable caviar" which seems to suggest you could eat it plain. Further inspection of the jar suggested eating Ajvar on chips, pretzels, or vegetables and while I don’t necessarily think that any of these options would be bad, per se, I found the mixture of it within a sandwich to be exponentially more appealing.

Calorically, Ajvar is pretty much a dream. At fifteen calories per tablespoon and less than a gram of fat, it is one of the most low impact condiments out there. For the amount of flavor that just a little bit provides, you basically can’t lose.  If you are looking for this delicious Serbian condiment, it is available at GFR Grocery. 

Labeling:

Labeling of this product was clear and concise. I deem it to be very sufficient.

Packaging:

This sauce was packaged in a glass recyclable jar. The packaging seemed sufficient for the freshness of the product.

Reader’s Reviews:

Please share with us your review of this company’s other products + where you purchased the product + how long you have been using this product. Please no review from the family + friends of the company producing the product…

RATING: 

Texture:           5

Taste:               5         

Value:              5

OVERALL:        5

Reviewed by Lacy D.