Pepper perfection: How Ajvar is made in North Macedonia

[@DWFood]

Correction: At several points we've used the term "North Macedonian", which should actually be "Macedonian". While the country has been referred to as "North Macedonia" since 2019, the term "North Macedonian" is not correct as explained in detail here: vlada.mk/node/16897?ln=en-gb (comment edited on December 14th 2023)

[@ЗлаткоТодоровски]

Yet you used North Macedonian in the voice over as well several times. Have some shame and delete the video and publish it correctly.

[@Konskript]

You used it twice more in the voice over and then at 4:45 when the women says "it's a Macedonian tradition" you translate it as a "tradition in our country" you did this on purpose and you know it, it's also not the "citizens" or "culture" that is referred to as Macedonian it's the people and the nation, an entire separate ethnic group you are wilfully and intentionally avoided using the term "Macedonian" and degraded the entire Macedonian nation by referring to it firstly as "north Macedonian" and secondly by calling it a term used to refer to the "citizens" of Macedonia which can be any ethnic group you quite literally deleted Macedonians as a separate ethnic group in your video, if it was for any other ethnic group you would have deleted the video and corrected it but not for Macedonians, not even an apology just a "Correction" Despicable behavior delete the whole video you don't even have to reupload it just don't insult my nation ever again

[@Konskript]

@@ЗлаткоТодоровски they have no shame they did it on purpose they intentionally avoided the term Macedonian throughout the video and even had the audacity to refer to "Macedonian" as a TERM used to describe "Citizens" and a "Culture" and not as a separate people or ethnic group

[@DWFood]

@@Konskript Thank you for your comment. We didn't do it on purpose, we made a mistake here by not using the right word and we are sorry for that. It is not our intention to offend or disrespect anyone. We will make sure to use the correct terms in the future.

[@HeroManNick132]

@@ЗлаткоТодоровски Cry, Bulgarian.

[@a-ramenartist9734]

That lady looks jovial, what a wonderful world to have people like her making ajvar, one of the greatest condiments in the world

[@ConcreteRiver]

that homemade Balkan schnapps is no joke

[@vickvickson4273]

Schnapps is a german term, balkan one is rakija (rakkeeyya, a like in hEArt ❤️).

[@evelyngott2056]

I get my ajvar at my local European deli here in Canada. I'm absolutely addicted to the hot ajvar. I have it on toasted wholegrain pumpkin seed bread, with mascarpone.

[@The1Asher]

There is a Hungarian version of this pepper paste that has sweet, smoked, hot peppers, walnuts, lemons and herbs in it. Something to keep you happy and healthy in the winter.

[@morrismonet3554]

There is a spicy hot version from Calabria in Italy. I think all places that have a good pepper growing climate make something similar.

[@MySmallWorld.]

@The1Asher. yes.I remember it with walnuts,herbs,lemons.We used to make it in Turkiye.

[@pwp8737]

Here in San Francisco a local supermarket, Trader Joe's sells a store branded "red pepper and eggplant" spread that is probably made in the Balkans. I love it, on pita bread, on fried eggs or mixed with a can of tomato puree to make shakshuka eggs.

[@laylaa7563]

Nice😊

[@IvanValerioCortesi]

I find one in lidl Germany and I use in my pasta...alternative and delicious. Bellisimo e buonissimo

[@zmarvelous664]

in pasta? hmmmm...

[@HeroManNick132]

@@zmarvelous664 Do you know what ''Macedonia'' means in Italian?

[@moskit529]

Love the handmade Ajvar❤

[@josephjude1290]

Delicious; eating it this morning

[@eurovision50]

I love the song playing in the background in the middle of the video... Da Znaš!

[@michelejay5218]

Jovan jovane

[@seeingimages]

Schnapps with breakfast!? 🤯🤯🤯 Damn. That is hard core. 🤜💥🤛

[@dejavu011]

Welcome to the Balkans, where it is believed that a strong home-made rakija wards off all illnesses and evils

[@syafiqahamira8476]

I would like to give it a try ☺️☺️

[@vaughnwilliams1208]

Lidl sell it in many European countries (I just bought some in England Lidl) . It's delicious

[@Vladimirmiovski99664]

Try it on toasted bread, with sheep cheese

[@HeroManNick132]

@@Vladimirmiovski99664 Хубаво ли е да сте отроден българин?

[@Vladimirmiovski99664]

@@HeroManNick132 прашај кој ти е татко ??мајка ти за “две червени” работеше во Македонија

[@HeroManNick132]

@@Vladimirmiovski99664 Прашай дядо си дали не е българин, свиньо!

[@TheRealEpicNoob43]

@@HeroManNick132this video is about food! Stop saying “Macedonia iS BulGArIa”😞😞😞

[@wilfredfranco4159]

I tasted Ajvar in 2019 for the first time at Split Croatia. It is the most amazing sauce. My family is so hooked on to it since then.

[@kingk2405]

That should go very well with grilled fish .

[@cameronhardy4267]

Had it in Bosnia, absolutely unreal

[@HeroManNick132]

Where is Herzegovina?

[@inisipisTV]

Since all chili peppers came from the Americas. It would be fascinating to know the journey on how they end up in the Balkans and why they became cemented in the region’s culture cuisine. (Same with how Hungary and Romania accepted Paprika)

[@Suite_annamite]

It would be the *same story everywhere in the old world:* people simply *wanted* variety, and *a change from just peppercorns and mustard* ... which were erstwhile the only source of "heat" in their flavours.

[@tonygjorgievski8966]

They grow well in the Balkans. The ancestors came to see them as a reliable food source; all year round. A myriad of ways to prepare; fresh in salads, roasted as in ajvar, pickled for the winter etc etc. And they are filling. Throughout all regions of Macedonia along with beans they are a staple.

[@HeroManNick132]

@@tonygjorgievski8966 Ти си българин, приеми го!

[@mkbijnaam8713]

the ottomans introduced peppers to the Balkans

[@zmarvelous664]

Well, te whole world has adopted these produce. Italian without tomato sauce? Indian roasted eggplant and tomato… etc

[@ElenaEll16]

Big like from Romania ❤

[@HeroManNick132]

North Macedonia is like Moldova. Both Bulgaria and Romania should return their territories which were both stolen by the USSR and Yugoslavia. We should work together about that.

[@mxweng]

It costs about $5 for a 300 g jar of ajvar in Serbia as of 2024. It taste similar to tomato sauce but without the sour flavor. Paprika is also very popular and tasty as well.

[@AlexandraAquamarine]

adore Ajvar and happy to have it in our Ukrainian supermarkets

[@HeroManNick132]

How you even live in Ukraine?

[@borsch_99]

in which one? Silpo? Never seen it here before...

[@AlexandraAquamarine]

yes, you are right - Silpo @@borsch_99

[@HeroManNick132]

@@AlexandraAquamarine I'm surprised you live a normal life there. Also you and North Macedonians are the same 🤡

[@AlexMkd1984]

​@@HeroManNick132asparux samo da kradete znaete zatoa i nisto nemate glupi bugari

[@truesight91]

Some say Ajvar comes from Albania originally, who knows. All these machines and what you buy in the west does not compared to what is made by hand with love.

[@jeffreyhenion4818]

I’m am SO making this……

[@LilyVain]

*М А К Е Д О Н И Ј А* 🇲🇰 ☦️ 🌟 👑 🦁 🔆 ❤️‍🔥

[@HeroManNick132]

Любимият ми вентилатор.

[@HeroManNick132]

@@LilyVain Поне за разлика от вас имаме 6 гласни, докато вие имате 5.

[@stevetoloman5586]

Macedonia make best ajvar.

[@DimitarSerkyov-l1v]

North Macedonia you mean? Because there is also Macedonia in Greece as far as I know.

[@stevetoloman5586]

@@DimitarSerkyov-l1v That is all Macedonia. For this report in country Macedonia. Not Aegean Macedonia.

[@DimitarSerkyov-l1v]

@stevetoloman5586 The country is called North Macedonia, right. Central, western and eastern Macedonia are however in Greece.

[@mattepetro]

​@@DimitarSerkyov-l1vthe "other macedonia" is Macedonian

[@HeroManNick132]

@@stevetoloman5586 Ти си българин!

[@Bdoodee]

I’m Croatian. Whether you’re Serbian, Croatian, Macedonian, Slovenian or Dalmatian………. Ajvar is our food.

[@HeroManNick132]

Bulgarian*

[@LilyVain]

​@@HeroManNick132 Bulgarians are turkomongol tatars Khan Asparukh child 😂

[@HeroManNick132]

@@LilyVain Кубер къде е, дете?

[@HeroManNick132]

@@MR.Stefan5064 Айварът буквално означава ,,хайвер,'' както майка ми го правеше с пасирани домати и сирене. Макар, че сърбите са я заменили с английското ,,кавиjар.''

[@LilyVain]

@@MR.Stefan5064 *Ajvar is Makedonian* 🇲🇰👑🤌 And you are tatars 🇧🇬

[@zmarvelous664]

So are you saying people in south Macedonia make it differently?

[@SuneBerlin]

Where is south Macedonia or south east Macedonia??? And how they are call it?

[@zmarvelous664]

@@SuneBerlinSouth Macedonia is to the south of north Macedonia and it is customarily called Aegean Macedonia, and east Macedonia is to the east and customarily called Pirin Macedonia :)

[@HeroManNick132]

@@zmarvelous664 Stop your chauvinistic dreams, Western Bulgarian.

[@zmarvelous664]

@@SuneBerlinit’s all Macedonia

[@HeroManNick132]

@vasilmirmidonski2740 Yeah, yeah, God, Jesus, Adam and Eve, Cleopatra are all Macedonians, too? I wonder how only the sun is not ''Macedonian?'' 🤣

[@teodorkutzarov3866]

The GEORGICS by Virgil, says otherwise....Town's name there IS ! Pls check Your's information !

[@HeroManNick132]

Жалък отроден българин!

[@zmarvelous664]

Show some respect for Macedonians! Translating correctly what they say is the least you can do!

[@SuneBerlin]

Which Macedonians? These who lived in the boarder of the state of Northern Macedonia in 2023?

[@zmarvelous664]

@@SuneBerlinanyone who considers themselves Macedonians. And anyone deserves to not be misquoted, does it matter who they are?

[@HeroManNick132]

@@zmarvelous664 Yes, history matters as how age is not a number. There are Macedonians who are Greeks, not you Bulgarians cosplaying that Alexander the Great is yours and other BS. Bulgarians and Greeks will respect you if you stop stealing and manipulate our history, how hard is to understand that? Also don't tell me you have a Bulgarian passport.

[@Allpachinovich]

@@HeroManNick132Your history? You should do a DNA test. Greek=Turkish 😂

[@HeroManNick132]

@@Allpachinovich You think Jesus was born in Skopje?

[@nickkasnioski6713]

eggs ajvar cheese garlic 👍

[@HeroManNick132]

Ти си българин!

[@alex-vs4hh]

@@HeroManNick132 stop it, get some help

[@HeroManNick132]

@@alex-vs4hh The truth hurts, Western Bulgarian?

[@alex-vs4hh]

@@HeroManNick132 again, you sound obsessed, get some help :) Althought we're flattered you want us so badly, it's cute

[@HeroManNick132]

@@alex-vs4hh Ще стане някой ден, не бойте се. Ако не с нас, тогава Албания ще ви настани по-добре на топличко! :)

[@john15008]

Anyone notice, that even in the translations, that “Macedonian” or “Macedonia” on their own are avoided? How political!

[@tonygjorgievski8966]

Noted. They are trying to invent a Northern Macedonian identity now.

[@HeroManNick132]

@@tonygjorgievski8966 Сякаш е нещо ново, че вие възниквате през 1944, като никъде не е било документирано за вас, дори и в Османските архиви!

[@HeroManNick132]

How ironic is to claim that you are Macedonian when you are not even Macedonian, but yet confused Bulgarians want to be Macedonians.

[@john15008]

@@HeroManNick132 That would call for the ability to know the workings of the minds of others. You must be psychic!

[@HeroManNick132]

@@john15008 Not as you deluded to think 1 half-truth is the truth. I know you are Pro-Macedonist but everyone knows how this nation was formed recently. Call me whatever you want, but it's the truth.

[@stoleterziev523]

Некој сака тегла?

[@HeroManNick132]

Ти сакаш ли бугарски пасош?

[@andrejgeorgiev3123]

​@@HeroManNick132престани. Ич не си смешен.

[@HeroManNick132]

@@andrejgeorgiev3123 То не е за смях, а реалността е такава.

[@meowfia4032]

​​@@HeroManNick132 can you just stop acting like we're Bulgarians and accept we're macedonians I don't want to get into an argument with a random guy on the internet❤

[@HeroManNick132]

@@meowfia4032 You are free to be even Martian if you want, but will you accept your Bulgarian roots? Everyone knows this only you are the ones denying so hard and stealing history then you feel ''offended'' and ''oppressed.''

[@mpalaouros21]

North Macedonia???????????????????????????? There is not macedonia north.' Macedonia its only one. Great alexander land.

[@ziyaakbulut2047]

In Turkiye, we call this ezme for spicy one we call acılı ezme.

[@HeroManNick132]

You mean 🦃?

[@shmoo-zd1yz]

when these ppl realise they r same ajvar will bring world peace😁

[@HeroManNick132]

As who?

[@drumata1]

It's just Macedonia! There is huge injustice in saying North.

[@DWFood]

It is not our intention to undermine the identity and culture of the country. We have used the term North Macedonia in this video to refer to the country where this report was produced. At one point, we've referred to the cultural hertiage of ajvar as "North Macedonian", which just should have been "Macedonian". We're sorry, we used the wrong term here. *edited*

[@ЗлаткоТодоровски]

@@DWFood You can republish no problem

[@BolganH]

The name of the country is North Macedonia.

[@ЗлаткоТодоровски]

@@BolganH the people are still Macedonian

[@BolganH]

@@ЗлаткоТодоровски No. There has never existed a Macedonian ethnicity. It was invented when Serbia took control of the region.

[@adiherenow]

ayvar could be very good but you need to try romanian zacusca which i think is at another level😋😋😋

[@deathpyre42]

what's the difference?

[@01-uy3of]

Ajvar,liutenitsa and zacusca (we also call it sometimes zacusca in Bulgaria) are all very similar.

[@Igor100year_old]

Поподробнее, пожалуйста )

[@catalinilie306]

@@deathpyre42 eggplant is prevalent, we use onion, and also we boil it in tomato puree. It is a little bit more acidic then the one made exclusively from peppers. Some people add beans or mushrooms but I personally don't like it. Anyhow, call it ajvar, zacusca or whatever, it is the taste of Balkans. And I love the smell when it is prepared. It's the smell that tells the summer is over and autumn is here.

[@ohrid59mk76]

@@catalinilie306 real AJVAR is made only from red pappers , we have some other things like your Zakuska , LJUTENICA and PINDJUR ! you cant compare Ajvar with Zakuska , they are not same products .

[@hiddenknowledge6333]

I'm surprised the balkans haven't fought a war over who makes the best one

[@zmarvelous664]

And yet another eager to stereotype and demonize the people of Southeastern Europe

[@patka1982]

Thats because they all agree Macedonian ajvar is the best. Rare, but they agree

[@HeroManNick132]

@@zmarvelous664 Why you always play the victim?

[@zmarvelous664]

@@HeroManNick132 Victim? What’s your problem, coming on my post insulting me? Get a life!

[@zmarvelous664]

@@HeroManNick132 Still the best ajvar is made in Macedonia! Пукни!

[@JoeBegg]

They didn’t do sufficient research before making this video. There are a number of issues.

[@NenadDjukic-f1d]

Very disappointed DW didn’t do their research properly… Ajvar is first mentioned in the 1890’s by chef Katarina Popovic in the The Great Serbian Cookbook. Ajvar was actually first created in Belgrade Serbia… 🇷🇸 facts people, facts!

[@HeroManNick132]

Serbia is Bulgaria.

[@meowfia4032]

​@@HeroManNick132 bro thinks the whole balkans are bulgarian😂

[@HeroManNick132]

@@meowfia4032 Whole Serbia used to be Bulgaria too. Look at the First Bulgarian tsardom map.

[@meowfia4032]

@@HeroManNick132 it isn't anymore

[@HeroManNick132]

@@meowfia4032 Сега може да не е, но все пак знаете.

[@zarkosar4090]

Our nationality is Macedonian, not North Macedonian that does not exist. Please fix it @dw food

[@DWFood]

Hi Zarkosar 4090, we have used the term North Macedonia in this video to refer to the country where this report was produced. At one point, we've referred to the cultural hertiage of ajvar as "North Macedonian", which just should have been "Macedonian". We're sorry, we used the wrong term here. *edited*

[@jovan-noble-guy749]

People from Skopje, Kumanovo and Tetovo are north Macedonian because they are from the northern part of Macedonia. 🇲🇰🍅🌶

[@BolganH]

There is no „Macedonian“ or „North Macedonian“ nationality. They are Bulgarians. Always have been until Serbia gained control over the land.

[@Konskript]

@@DWFood Deutsche Welle in it's English articles exclusively uses the term "North Macedonian" to refer to the Macedonians, to the prime minister, to press representatives etc this is not a mistake its part of your policy

[@HeroManNick132]

@@jovan-noble-guy749 Българи*

[@Tom-x3y5x]

It's Macedonia only not north or any other injustice term and by the way the best ajvar is in Macedonia 🇲🇰🇲🇰🇲🇰🇲🇰🇲🇰🇲🇰🇲🇰🇲🇰🇲🇰👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️😀😀😀😀😀😀😀😀🇲🇰🌞😀👍❤️

[@HeroManNick132]

Сръбският е най-добър.

[@tonygjorgievski8966]

DW you translated the company director of Pelagonia incorrectly; he mentioned "Macedonian DNA" only he did not say "North Macedonian DNA". Да му се посерам во устата на преведувачот!

[@DWFood]

You're right. We've mentioned the mistake in a pinned comment above. Thank your for your remark!

[@HeroManNick132]

Отроден българин!

[@zmarvelous664]

@@DWFood and delete hate speech comments by @HeroManNick132 and others on this post!!!

[@HeroManNick132]

@@zmarvelous664 Are you crying?

[@zmarvelous664]

Geopolitics and human rights abuse in translation… I should do a PH.D. on the topic :)

[@martinstojkovski9180]

macedonian DNK not north macedonian, sve vibam

[@HeroManNick132]

Брей, за ДНК ми говорели те, толкова сте заблудени, че е направо трагично.

[@noldi-fg7bo]

In makedonia they have pindjur! 😂😂

[@HeroManNick132]

You mean Eastern Albania?

[@martinstojkovski9180]

Macedonian recepie not north macedonian sve vibam

[@HeroManNick132]

Своя език си си предал за 2 червени динара.

[@martinstojkovski9180]

@@HeroManNick132 шетај сељачино

[@HeroManNick132]

@@martinstojkovski9180 Истината боли!

[@martinstojkovski9180]

@@HeroManNick132 хахахах пациент

[@HeroManNick132]

@@martinstojkovski9180 Си ти за Карлуково!

[@SuneBerlin]

As a master chef from central Europe you can start a war again, to tell things eaten on any place on the Balkan home off... In Bulgaria and Macedonia it is called Lutenitza and worth to name it caviar. But the Lutenitza , where ever is made is much tastier and better and the king of Skara, the tradinonal Barbecue. I would suggest do do you he next clip about Koopoloo or Baba Ganesh, please do not touch the Rakia... Nadravej Sune

[@Voyager759]

Ljutenica and Ajvar are not the same thing!

[@HeroManNick132]

@@Voyager759 Cry

[@zmarvelous664]

You're missing the point. Lutenitza is a totally different thing

[@SuneBerlin]

So what is the different between Ajvar and Ljutenitza... You had not enough space to plant tomatoes??? It is the same family and the same use, and it differse from village to village all over the Balkan pininsulate.

[@zmarvelous664]

@@SuneBerlin you bored and nothing better to do but hackle us? Get a life!

[@milensinan]

c'mon DW, these are not 'bell peppers'

[@robertobraschi1331]

Buonissimo ma purtroppo in italia non si trova, si trova solo quello industriale che e’ scadente

[@bry3699]

Anyone catch the confederate flag t-shirt…. No?

[@meowfia4032]

Why is everyone acting like little children in this comment section?

[@HeroManNick132]

Защо ти е толкова тежко да възприемеш един малък факт?

[@TheRealEpicNoob43]

@@HeroManNick132HOW ARE YOU EVERYWHERE??…

[@HeroManNick132]

@@TheRealEpicNoob43 Просто не можете да си разпределяте времето добре и затова.

[@HokmlitaSamklotsa-j1k]

Kuphal Square

[@krwnik8419]

My favorite Bulgarian food! 😋

[@meowfia4032]

I'm from macedonia, I love ajvar too!

[@krwnik8419]

@@meowfia4032 which one? Vardar or Pirin?

[@meowfia4032]

​@krwnik8419 are you asking what city I'm from because I'm from kochani

[@HeroManNick132]

@@meowfia4032 Кочани е много хубав български град.

[@meowfia4032]

@@HeroManNick132 da ubav e

[@g4m3r222]

i think it is serbian but whatever

[@timbuktu93]

Brazil will have an idealized European/American aesthetic which doesn't look like the average Brazilian. Sad.

[@Jane-ms9ky]

Pls just don’t use the word “caviar”

[@HeroManNick132]

Какво не му е наред, българче?

[@MargaritaHoward-w6f]

Martin Charles Robinson Joseph Wilson Anna

[@zmarvelous664]

Fix it or delete it!

[@HeroManNick132]

Give me your Bulgarian passport.

[@01-uy3of]

Ajvar is Serbian, not Bulga- I mean, Macedonian. Bulgarians and Macedonians eat liutenitsa, not ajvar.

[@itsallagoodfun6018]

Nope...

[@teodorkutzarov3866]

The First Ajvar, in The Whole World WAS The Radomirian one /from RADOMIR. It's written in THE GEORGICS by Virgil/. Е, сга'ве ке настане Време Раззелно ! ;) :D

[@miodragcvetkovski9800]

Klosar glupav

[@AleksaNoeksa]

Weird because every Macedonian I know calls it "ajvar" 🤷

[@Voyager759]

@@teodorkutzarov3866 can you provide more context on this?

[@AlexMkd1984]

ajvar ia macedonian best 💪

[@HeroManNick132]

Too much stealing?

[@zmajooov]

Ajvar is a Serbian dish. I'm starting to get annoyed how all these statelets claim something that isn't theirs.

[@HeroManNick132]

И сърбите са българи.

[@LilyVain]

Ајвар е Македонски. И пинџур и љутика! Читај имаш интернет...

[@HeroManNick132]

@@LilyVain Как така Слънцето не е македонско?

[@LilyVain]

@@HeroManNick132 И Слнце е Македонско ејјј!

[@HeroManNick132]

@@LilyVain 🤦

[@dreams5672]

Turkish Ajvar is the best

[@HeroManNick132]

No wonder why you love Turks the most.

[@AlexMkd1984]

Ajvar is macedonian traditional dish

[@HeroManNick132]

That's Serbian.