Mushroom Zacuscă
Mushroom zacuscă is one of the most flavorful and beloved vegetable preserves in Romanian cuisine. Made from mushrooms, roasted eggplants, roasted peppers, and tomato paste, this rich spread combines complex textures and flavors in a balanced, lightly smoky composition with a dense, creamy consistency. Traditionally prepared in autumn in large batches for winter, mushroom zacuscă is served on toast, alongside cheeses, or as a cold side dish. The mushroom version has a deeper, more umami-rich flavor profile than classic eggplant zacuscă, thanks to the natural glutamate in mushrooms.
Servings
8
Prep
60 min
Cook
90 min
Total
150 min
🥘Ingredients
servings
Main vegetables
Base & seasoning
Flavoring (optional)
✅Dietary Compatibility
Yield
approx. 5–6 jars of 300 ml
📦Storage
Refrigerator
Opened jar: up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, covered with a thin layer of oil
Freezer
Properly sealed and sterilized jar: 12–18 months at room temperature in a cool, dark place
🥗Nutrition Facts
Values per 100 g zacuscă
Calories
95 kcal
Protein
2.5 g
Fat
7 g
Carbohydrates
6.5 g
Fiber
2.5 g
🍷Pairs Well With
💡Variations
Classic mushroom and eggplant zacuscă without peppers — a simpler, quicker version with an ultra-creamy consistency and a more pronounced mushroom and eggplant flavor.
Zacuscă with dried porcini and fresh champignon — rehydrate 100 g dried porcini and combine with 700 g champignon for a deep forest-flavored profile.
Spicy version with hot peppers — add 1–2 roasted red chili peppers along with the bell peppers for a zacuscă with a lightly spicy finish, ideal as a winter sandwich spread.
Vegan zacuscă with extra-virgin olive oil and Mediterranean herbs (oregano, rosemary, thyme) — maintains the traditional character while adding a refined Mediterranean note.