Description
Mediterranean chefs celebrate this hearty Tunisian roasted eggplant salad with smoky, complex flavors. Crisp vegetables and aromatic spices create a delightful dish you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 eggplants, large
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp harissa
- 0.5 tsp coarse salt
- 3 tbsps (45 mL) lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 0.33 cup (79 mL) oil
Instructions
- Preparation: Position oven rack in center and heat to 450°F (230°C), creating optimal roasting environment.
- Eggplant Preparation: Peel eggplants and slice into uniform 1-inch cubes, ensuring consistent cooking and attractive presentation.
- Roasting Setup: Cover baking sheet with parchment paper, arranging eggplant cubes in single layer to maximize caramelization and prevent overcrowding.
- Seasoning: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle kosher salt over eggplant cubes, tossing thoroughly to guarantee complete and even coating.
- Roasting Process: Bake for 35-40 minutes, rotating sheet midway to achieve golden, tender texture with uniform browning.
- Dressing Preparation: Whisk together finely minced garlic, harissa paste, and fresh lemon juice in small bowl to create vibrant, spicy dressing.
- Finishing Touch: Remove roasted eggplant from oven, immediately drizzle with harissa mixture, gently folding to ensure complete flavor integration and even coating.
Notes
- Maximize Caramelization: Space eggplant cubes apart on the baking sheet to ensure each piece develops a rich, golden-brown exterior without steaming.
- Perfect Roasting Technique: Rotate the baking sheet midway through cooking to guarantee uniform heat distribution and prevent uneven charring.
- Harissa Dressing Balance: Adjust harissa paste quantity based on personal spice tolerance, starting with a small amount and gradually increasing for desired heat level.
- Storage and Serving Tip: This salad tastes even better after resting for 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify, making it an excellent make-ahead dish for gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: North African (Tunisian)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 146
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg