For this recipe we’re using Italian eggplants, that are smaller and lighter than the common eggplant. You can use common eggplant as well, but in America they tend to be a little bitter, so make sure you choose an eggplant that is relatively light and that its skin is shiny and black.
You have three options for roasting an eggplant:
1.Place the eggplant on the grates over a gas burner and roast on all sides, until the skin is charred and wrinkled, and eggplant show no resistance to the touch, about 6-8 minutes.
- In a 475 F degrees oven, flip the eggplant every few minutes until ready as described above.
- On a charcoal or gas BBQ grill, turning every few minutes until ready.
Transfer eggplant to a colander and let cool just until you can handle it with you hands. Use your hands to peel eggplant. Set aside.
The eggplant tastes best while still warm.
Roasted eggplant in labneh and pomegranate
Course: Appetizers, Arab, Israeli, Rosh Hashanah, VegetablesCuisine: Arab, IsraeliDifficulty: Medium1
servings30
minutesINGREDIENTS
juice of ½ lemon
1 garlic clove, minced
Kosher salt to taste
½ cups Labneh
1 roasted eggplant, prepared as in the note above
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
¼ cup pomegranate seeds
Pita chips and veggies for serving
DIRECTIONS
- In a small bowl, mix lemon juice, garlic and salt. Set aside.
- Spoon labneh into a wide serving bowl, sprinkle with salt, and spread with a back of a spoon in circular motion.
- Arrange eggplant in the center. Drizzle with lemon dressing, olive oil, pomegranate molasses and sprinkle with pomegranate seeds.
- Serve with pita chips and veggies.
Made this for lunch today with a shepherd salad, and Manakesh za’atar flatbread. The eggplant was the star of the show! Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear, thank you!
I also made this for lunch today and my husband who is not an eggplant fan also enjoyed it.
I can’t wait to make it as an appy for a crowd.
I wouldn’t change an ingredient, I’d just chop the eggplant a little finer.
Thanks for a fabulous recipe!
Thank you so much! I also make it for many parties. Glad doyu enjoyed it.