Where can I find Ajvar in Brooklyn?

[eatingraoul]

Hi, anybody know where I can buy a jar of Ajvar (the serbian-croat red pepper relish) in Brooklyn?

Thanks!

[wolfe]

I usually get mine at the halal markets in Berkeley. Have you tried your local halal store?

[missmasala]

they usually have ajvar at sahadi's on atlantic ave, but i think it is bulgarian ajvar. still red pepper spread, tho--and delicious!

[jen kalb]

eagle provisions on 5th Ave, Eastern Market on CIA, the Turkish Grocery at 8th Ave and 60th, Three Guys from Brooklyn all carry Ajvar, likely Fairway too. Trader Joes has this type of product also usually tho its not called ajvar. They have one that is pretty good that has eggplant along with the peppers.

You should try some different versions and see which one you like best. One common version (sorry I cant remember which, its one of the kinds Eagle has) is a bit bitter to my taste.

We are working our way through a big bottle of a brand called Zergut now, very good, think its made in Turkey.

[missmasala]

do you mean that the bottle of Zergut brand ajvar is very good, or that Zergut the name means "very good"?

or both. ; )

i was eyeing some of those trader joe's spreads yesterday. do you think the olive one would be a good sub for the olive spread on a muffaletta sandwich?

[jen kalb]

I meant that the spread itself is very good. They must sell it into Germany too! I just pulled the bottle out of the frig and noted that its not Turkish at all, its Bulgarian and also contains eggplant as a second ingredient.

I didnt like the Trader Joe olive spreads I tried, I think one was olive salad for muffaletta and the other was like tapenade but not very finely ground. Dont know if I disliked the first because I dont like the olive salad (have never had actual N.O. muffaletta) or whether it was the TJ's item. Didnt like the olive paste as well as what is available elsewhere (or what i can make at home from olives, capers etc.However TJs changes its products so often, I dont know if what you are looking at is the same as what I have sampled. Why not give it a try?

[jen kalb]

looks like Birlik, the Turkish market at the corner of 60th and 5th may be closed or closing - there was still merchandise in there when I drove by on Saturday but a big sign/phone number in chinese on the window. Hope someone checks the situation out.

[Glendale is hungry]

Hi eatingraoul,

I don't know what part of Brooklyn you're looking in but Greenpoint, with its Polish population, might carry some.

If you're near Bushwick—specifically the part of Bushwick close to the border of Ridgewood (Queens) you could check the super-sized Food Bazaar on Wyckoff. But, if you're that close to Ridgewood, just check anywhere in Ridgewood. Key Foods on Myrtle Ave. has tons of Ajvar along with other Eastern European spreads in jars like Pindur, Lutica, Guvetch, Lutenica, etc., etc.

Happy spreading!

Ciao,

Glendale is hungry...

[NYJewboy]

Sahadi's on Atlanic ave

[hhhippo]

They have some at the Red Hook Fairway. I'm not sure what country theirs is from, but I liked it a lot. If I remember correctly, it is one shelf over from the jarred pasta sauces.

[Fleur]

SAHADI'S has shelves full at a ridiculously low price.

[Asumnuthin]

Sahadi's
great place

[gpcohen]

Two places on the same block of Church Avenue carry Ajvar (just had some with my lunch):

Dinosha Albanian Village--has many brands and degrees of hotness.
319 Church Avenue, between E. 3rd and E. 4th streets
[phone]

Golden Farm has the most commonly found brand "Marco Polo" mild only, but they are open 24/7.
329 Church Avenue, corner of E. 4th Street
[phone]

[Amy Mintzer]

D'Vine Taste on 7th Ave. also carries a brand or two, if you're in Park Slope.

[CGeats]

Just back from Fairway. More brands and more vareities than my preferred Sahadi's. I got spicy Ajvar, which rhymes with "have jar" as in " have a jar in pantry at all times".