Moldovan Preservation

Specialised

A whole-household system with its own season: murături — cucumbers, green tomatoes, peppers, cabbage and watermelon soured in brine; zacuscă, the autumn aubergine and pepper spread cooked down and jarred in quantity; tomato and pepper pastes; magiun, plum cooked to a thick butter without sugar; dried fruit and mushrooms; smoked and salted pork; and the cellar or beci where all of it and the wine barrel live. ⚠ HISTORICAL PRACTICE, NOT MODERN PROCEDURE: home bottling of low-acid vegetables carries a real botulism risk and requires modern method.