Authentic Moroccan Zaalouk: Spiced Eggplant and Tomato Dip

Moroccan Zaalouk

Zaalouk is a delicious Moroccan dish typically served as a snack or appetizer with bread. This vegetarian dish features grilled eggplant and tomatoes, mashed with garlic and aromatic Moroccan spices.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggplants
• 4 ripe tomatoes
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pierce the eggplants with a fork in several places. Place them on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 45 minutes or until soft and collapsed.
3. While the eggplants are roasting, dice the tomatoes.
4. Once the eggplants are done, let them cool slightly, then peel and roughly chop the flesh.
5. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
6. Add the chopped eggplant and diced tomatoes to the skillet. Stir in paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne (if using), salt, and black pepper.
7. Cook the mixture, stirring occasionally, for about 15-20 minutes until the tomatoes break down and the mixture thickens.
8. Use a wooden spoon or potato masher to mash the mixture to your desired consistency.
9. Stir in the chopped cilantro and lemon juice.
10. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
11. Serve warm or at room temperature with bread.

Enjoy your homemade Moroccan Zaalouk! and dive into our treasure trove of Moroccan recipes and discover more culinary adventures on our blog!

Image by: the foodhog