Serbia

Serbia is a major Balkan pepper producer, focusing on Capsicum annuum varieties like Ajvarski (ajvar pepper), bull’s horn (roga paprika), feferoni (pickling hot peppers), and other hot and sweet types. While much of the crop is sweet or mild, feferoni and added hot chilies give heat to preserved products. Ajvar, a roasted red pepper and eggplant spread, ranges from sweet to very hot depending on added chili.

Serbian households roast and jar peppers as part of zimnica (winter stores), including pickled hot feferoni and chili relishes. Exports include jarred ajvar and pickled peppers throughout Europe.

In cuisine, hot peppers accompany grilled meats (čevapi, pljeskavica), beans, and stews; Serbian chilies tend toward moderately hot, with emphasis on sweetness and smokiness from roasted Ajvarski peppers.