Danube Salad for the Winter

Wash and prep the vegetables, then cut them: wedge the tomatoes, slice the onions into half-rings, cut the peppers into strips, coarsely grate the carrots, press the garlic, and finely chop the basil.

Transfer all the chopped vegetables into a large pot.

Make the marinade using oil, water, salt, sugar, vinegar, and spices, bring it to a boil over the heat, simmer for 5 minutes, and take it off the heat.

Pour the hot marinade over the vegetables, toss gently, and let it marinate for 3 hours.

Next, place the salad back on the stove and simmer over medium heat for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.