Lecsó facts for kids
A portion of Hungarian lecsó on a plate.
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| Type | Stew |
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| Place of origin | Hungary |
| Main ingredients | Peppers, tomatoes, onions, lard, salt, ground paprika |
Lecsó is a tasty vegetable stew that comes from Hungary. It's a bit like a thick vegetable mix. The main ingredients are usually yellow pointed peppers, tomatoes, onions, salt, and ground sweet or hot paprika.
To make it, people often cook the onions and peppers lightly in lard, bacon fat, or sunflower oil. Sometimes, garlic is also added. Lecsó is also a popular traditional food in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and countries that were once part of Yugoslavia. You can also find it in Poland, Austria, and Israel.
Most Hungarian recipes suggest using a mild type of Hungarian wax pepper. These peppers are best from August to October. This is also when field tomatoes are at their freshest. Other recipes might use both bell peppers and banana peppers.
Contents
What is Lecsó?
Lecsó is a delicious vegetable dish. It's made by cooking peppers, tomatoes, and onions together. People often add salt and paprika powder for flavor. Sometimes, other spices like bay leaf or thyme are used. However, these are not part of the original recipe.
To make the best lecsó, some people use smoked bacon fat. They cook the bacon first to get its fat. Then, they fry sliced onions until they are slightly brown. Next, sliced peppers are added and cooked until they are crisp. Tomatoes are added last. This is because adding them too early would make the onions and peppers soggy.
Different Ways to Enjoy Lecsó
There are many ways to make and eat lecsó.
- You can add cooked rice or scrambled eggs to it.
- It's sometimes served warm with sour cream.
- Lecsó can also be a filling for pancakes.
- Many recipes include sausage, like "kolbász" (a Hungarian sausage) or Debrecener sausage.
- Some people add bacon or frankfurters.
- You might see lecsó topped with slices of hard-boiled egg.
- If meat is added, it's usually cooked first with the onions and peppers.
Lecsó is often eaten as a main dish for lunch. When eaten alone, it's usually served with bread. Plain lecsó can also be a side dish. It goes well with roasted chicken, pheasant, pork, beef, or Eszterhazy steak.
In Hungary, many believe the best lecsó is made over an open fire. This is done in a "bogrács," which is a special cauldron. It's like a Hungarian style barbecue. Lecsó is very popular in Hungary, and there are even festivals just for this dish!
Lecsó Around the World
Lecsó is enjoyed in different countries, often with their own special touches.
Lecsó in Germany
In Germany, lecsó is called "Letscho." It's often used as a main ingredient in sauces. These sauces are then served with many different meals. German Letscho usually contains tomatoes, peppers, and onions. Other local ingredients might be added too.
Lecsó in Poland
In Poland, lecsó is called "leczo." Polish leczo often includes red pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, onion, and garlic. Sausage is also a common ingredient. It's usually spiced with chili pepper powder. Polish leczo is often served hot and spicy. It probably came to Poland from Hungary.
See also
In Spanish: Letscho para niños
