This Turkish vegetarian eggplant appetizer is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The roasted eggplant is mashed with garlic and mixed with tangy yogurt, crunchy walnuts, and aromatic spices. It is a perfect appetizer to enjoy with pita bread or crackers. With a quick preparation time of 30 minutes, this dish is ideal for parties or a quick snack. Try this recipe and impress your guests with this tasty and healthy Turkish delight!
Ingredients
- 2 large eggplants
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Pierce the eggplants with a fork several times to allow steam to escape during roasting.
- Place the eggplants on a baking sheet and roast them in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the skin is charred and the flesh is soft.
- Remove the eggplants from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes.
- Once cooled, peel off the charred skin and discard it. Transfer the roasted eggplants to a mixing bowl.
- Mash the roasted eggplants with a fork or a potato masher until they reach a smooth consistency.
- Crush the garlic cloves and add them to the mashed eggplants.
- Add the yogurt, olive oil, chopped walnuts, ground cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to the bowl.
- Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Transfer the eggplant mixture to a serving dish.
- Garnish with fresh parsley leaves.
- Serve the Turkish vegetarian eggplant appetizer with pita bread or crackers. Enjoy!
Interesting Facts
Eggplant, also known as aubergine, is native to India and was brought to Turkey by the Arabs during the Middle Ages.
This dish is often served as part of a meze platter, a traditional Turkish spread of small, flavorful dishes.
Yogurt is a common ingredient in Turkish cuisine as it adds a creamy and tangy flavor to the dishes.