Zaalouk – Eggplant and Tomato Dip
One of my favorite vegetables that are so versatile is eggplant and it’s the star in this traditional side salad famous in Morocco called Zaalouk. The best part is it can be eaten in so many different ways but you can’t go wrong with lots of bread to dip into.
For an alternative, I roasted some cauliflower florets in olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic (thinly sliced), and parmesan to dip into the zaalouk.
The key is to get a very nice dark browning to your eggplant when frying. This is why Zaalouk has a much deeper color in comparison to a similar eggplant dip called Baba Ghanoush which is more Levantine. Either way eggplant is amazing.
Here’s how you make it!
Appetizer
Zaalouk – Eggplant and Tomato Dip
Ingredients
- 1 large eggplant
- 2 roma tomatoes
- 8 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon vinegar
Instructions
- Prepare vegetables. Slice eggplant into one-third of an inch rounds. If the rounds are really big, slice in to half-circles. Cut the tomatoes into 8 long slices and then slice those in half, along its horizontal. Set aside.
- With a very large pan, heat 6 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add half of the amount of sliced eggplants. Do not stack or overcrowd, just enough to cover the pan. Cook for a total of 11-12 minutes, about 6 minutes on each side — just until golden brown.
- Remove the eggplant from the pan and add another 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan. Fry the second batch. Remove the eggplant from the pan and set aside.
- Add the chopped tomatoes and cook for about 5-6 minutes, just until they are soft enough to mash.
- Add the fried eggplant back into the pan along with the minced garlic, salt, ginger, paprika, cumin, and black pepper.
- Using a wooden spatula or spoon, mash the eggplant and tomato together until there are no more big clumps.
- Turn off the heat. Add the chopped parsley and vinegar. Mix to combine.
- Serve!
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HI, I’M HAJAR
Welcome to Moribyan! This is my blog where I love to share all my favorite recipes and lifestyle tips with you all. If I’m not cooking here, I’m either at Trader Joe’s, the gym, or eating a bagel.
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This was so good!!