Greek Inspired Roasted Eggplant Salad Recipes

MELITZANOSALATA - TRADITIONAL GREEK EGGPLANT SALAD RECIPE

Steps:

• First of all, preheat the oven to 390° F (200° C).
• After that, rinse and dry the eggplants, then holes a few times the skin of the vegetables with a fork.
• Place the eggplants on a tray lined with parchment paper and bake, 45 mins to 80 mins depending on the size of the eggplants, until very tender and wrinkled, flipping them a couple of times.
• This step can also be done with a charcoal or electric grill.
• Once incredibly tender, cut the eggplant still hot into halves and scoop the pulp.
• Pour the pulp into a colander, add a pinch of salt, and let it lose the vegetation water stirring and pressing with a spoon occasionally until it reaches room temperature.
• While the eggplant pulp is reaching the room temperature, combine the olive oil with red onion, garlic, black pepper, and vinegar.
• Mix it all until smooth and consistent.
• Now, mince the eggplant pulp with a knife, then mince the fresh parsley as well.
• Finally, combine the eggplants, the parsley, and the vinaigrette, stirring and serving along with, pita, meats, and other Greek small plates.

GREEK-INSPIRED ROASTED EGGPLANT SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. 2. Place eggplant, cut-side down on a parchment-lined baking tray. 3. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle some salt, and roast for thirty minutes, until eggplant is tender. 4. Remove from oven and allow to cool. 5. Combine couscous with cucumbers, peppers, and parsley. 6. Combine lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour over couscous mixture. 7. Place couscous mixture atop each eggplant. 8. Top with black olives and/or feta cheese (optional). Recipe published in JOY of KOSHER with Jamie Geller magazine, Late Winter 2014. Subscribe Now. Want recipes like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up now for the JOY of KOSHER Newsletter.

MELITZANOSALATA RECIPE

Steps:

• Keep the eggplant whole and pierce with a fork in a few places.
• Smoke the eggplant. Place the eggplant over a gas flame, grill or under a broiler, and cook, turning around using a pair of tongs, until the skin is fully charred, and the eggplant is quite tender.
• Cool and drain eggplant. Place the eggplant in a bowl and set aside until cool enough to handle (a bowl is helpful because the eggplant will release some juices). Peel the charred skins off and discard. Cut the eggplant into chunks and place in a colander to get rid of any remaining excess juices (about 10 more minutes).
• Transfer the eggplant to a mixing bowl. Add the garlic, onion, parsley, lemon juice, olive oil. Add salt and pepper and spices (if using). Mix to combine and use your fork to break up the eggplant into smaller chunks.
• At this point, if you have the time, it's a good idea to cover and chill the eggplant dip in the fridge for a few brief minutes.
• Transfer the eggplant dip to a serving plate and spread. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil. Arrange Garnish with lemon zest, parsley, red onions, olives, a sprinkle of feta. Serve with crusty bread or pita bread.

BIG FAT GREEK EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SALAD

Steps:

• Roast the eggplant over a gas grill for 25 minutes at 450 degrees.
• Place in a colander and allow it to cool. Puree the scallions, parsley, garlic and oregano in a food processor.
• In a separate bowl, combine lemon juice, red wine vinegar, some capers, tomato, chopped parsley and the herb mixture.
• Next peel away the skin of the eggplant revealing charred flesh on the inside; leave the seeds; in a lot of recipes they're called "the poor man's caviar.".
• Roughly cut up the eggplant, and combine it with the remaining ingredients.
• Lastly, add salt, pepper, lemon to taste. Serve the eggplant salad (hot or cold) on grilled bread.

MELITZANOSALATA AGIORITIKI (ATHENIAN EGGPLANT SALAD)

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat.
• Pierce the eggplant a few times with the tip of a paring knife or fork. Cook eggplant on preheated grill, turning often, until the skin is charred and the eggplant is tender, about 15 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Remove the skin from the eggplant and dice the pulp. Place into a mixing bowl, and add tomato, onion, parsley, olive oil, vinegar, and feta cheese; mix well. Refrigerate for one hour, and season to taste with salt before serving.