Authentic Zaalouk Recipe ! Easy & Delicious Moroccan Eggplant Salad ! Traditional Vegetarian Cooking

eggplant

🥗Healthier: zucchini

💰Cheaper: cabbage

Zucchini is lower in calories, while cabbage is more affordable.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil offers health benefits, while canola oil is budget-friendly.

fresh parsley

🥗Healthier: cilantro

💰Cheaper: dried parsley

Cilantro adds a fresh taste, while dried parsley is cost-effective.

fresh tomatoes

🥗Healthier: canned tomatoes

💰Cheaper: tomato paste

Canned tomatoes retain flavor, and paste is often cheaper.

Take approximately 1 kilo (2 lbs) of eggplants and use a fork to punch holes in them.

Place the eggplants directly on open flames, grilling each side for about 5 minutes to get a smoky flavor.

Grill four whole tomatoes until they are charred on both sides.

Put both the eggplants and the tomatoes into plastic bags and seal them to steam for easier peeling.

Slice each eggplant in half and scoop out the flesh, deciding whether to keep the seeds or not.

For the tomatoes, peel them, cut them, and remove the seeds.

Cook 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

Add 4 crushed garlic cloves and cook until they turn light brown.

Add the eggplants and the tomatoes to the pan.

Season with 2 tablespoons of cilantro, 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of salt, 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon of cumin, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder.

Mix in 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of tomato paste, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.

Uncover the pan, reduce the heat, and let any excess water evaporate, tasting and adjusting the salt as necessary.

For the fried version, remove the tops of 1 kilo of eggplants and cut them into 1 cm thick slices.

Fry the eggplant slices in oil at 175 C (350 F) until golden brown on both sides.

Lay the fried eggplants on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Mash the fried eggplants thoroughly and let them sit to drain the rest of the oil.

Prepare the fried version just like the grilled one, replacing the tomatoes with a 400 g can of tomato paste.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary