This was originally a play on a deconstructed baba ghanoushg, where I took some of baba's famous flavors of eggplant and lemon and broke them up a bit. What was created was a fantastic Mediterranean roasted eggplant recipe that is hearty enough to be a main dish on its own. The roasted eggplant halves are flavored with warm spices of cumin and topped with crispy chickpeas, creamy tahini and sweet roasted beets. I also like to add thinly sliced lemon to caramelize with the eggplant.
Roasted Eggplant with Tahini
I took inspiration from classic baba ghanoush to create this "deconstructed" version. The combination of smoky roasted eggplant with creamy tahini and sweet beets is magical and hearty enough to stand alone as a main course.
There are so many bold Mediterranean flavors here and I suggest you play around with some of your favorite Middle Eastern flavors, such as adding a sprinkle of bright sumac, pomegranate seeds or even a drizzle of pomegranate molasses would be fantastic! You can also take inspiration from Turkish style eggplant dip and add roasted peppers!
Mediterranean Roasted Eggplant Recipe
This is really a simple dish to make but does require a tad bit of prep work where most of the ingredients roast at the time.
If your eggplant is very thick, cut it lengthwise into quarters, but if yours is thinner, just cut it in half. Other toppings include roasted chickpeas that are roasted at the same temperature, half way through cooking the eggplant. And while the eggplant and chickpeas are cooking, that is a good time to make the tahini sauce and chop parsley.
Roasted Beets: If you have large beets, cut in half and wrap in foil, then roast at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until you can easily piecere with a knife. Then peel and chop into cubes for your eggplant topping.
More great side dishes
Roasted Eggplant with Tahini, Beets and Chickpeas
LittleFerraroKitchen.com
Equipment
Ingredients
Eggplant
- 2 large eggplant cut in half lengthwise (or if very large, cut in quarters)
- Olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon coriander
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 lemon very thinly sliced
Roasted Beets
- 1-2 whole beets
Roasted Chickpeas
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas or you can use 1 can, drained and rinsed
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon za'atar
- ¼ teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
Yogurt Tahini Sauce
- ¼ cup tahini
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ lemon juiced
- 1 garlic clove grated
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon coriander
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- Pinch of cayenne
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
- 2-3 tablespoons water to thin consistency, if needed
Additional Toppings
- Parsley leaves finely chopped
- Olive oil
- za'atar and sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 Fahrenheit and place eggplant on baking sheet Use a knife and cut diagonal slits into the flesh but not through the skin and brush olive oil onto the eggplant.
- Cut large beets in half and wrap in foil and if you have room on the same baking sheet, place beets on the same sheet.
- Season eggplant with cumin, coriander, salt and top with lemon slices. Roast eggplant and beets for about 40 minutes until tender and they can be easily pierced with a fork.
- On another baking sheet, toss together the chickpeas, spices and olive oil and roast chickpeas at the same temperature for about 20 minutes. Once done, remove everything from oven and set aside.
- As soon as the beets are cool enough to handle, peel the beets and cut into 1 inch cubes.
- While the vegetables roast, make the tahini sauce. In a food processor, add all tahini sauce ingredients and pulse together until smooth. Add water to help thin the sauce as it should be thin enough to spoon over the eggplant, almost a honey consistency.
- To assemble, spoon tahini sauce over eggplant and top with roasted chickpeas, roasted beets, za'atar, chopped parsley and another drizzle of olive oil.
The FirstRealFoodieInTheFamily says
Had some Beets and Eggplant in the crisper and this happened...was looking if anybody ever combined these two.
Followed the baking Sheet Method instead of the extreme caramelized grilling approach for a change. Threw in several medium beets sliced, a red pepper and the Eggplants on parchment with your diagonal slits, oil and seasoning as described. For the Tahini. In addition with your method. Took it to a different direction.
Not everybody likes Cilantro but managed to disguise a big clenched fist full including the trimmed stems along with 2 limes, Balkan Yogurt and a half cored Jalapeno a Tahini to taste.
Worked out really well.
Thanks for suggesting beets roasted with the eggplant...
Samantha Ferraro says
Hi Firstreal, WOW what a great spin, (Nice job disguising the Cilantro), The Jalapeno is a wonderful additive. Thanks for writing. Samantha.
Evelyn Eriksen says
Delicious! Thank you.
Samantha Ferraro says
Thank you so much Evelyn!
Kathy The FUN Baker says
Hi Samantha,
I haven't tried this Wonderful dish yet, but I have to say it sounds AMAZING!!! You have such a creative way with food & I am really looking forward to trying so many of your recipes! I just discovered your site today. What a lucky way to start out the new year! Happy NEW Year 2022!! And Happy Cooking!!! <3
Samantha says
Thank you so so much Kathy! Happy and delicious New Year to you as well!!
Simi says
I totally DIG this! I love every element of this recipe and love the presentation. Did I tell you I love it. I also prefer vegetarian food…
Simi says
I love eggplant and this is gorgeous, so innovative
Olga says
Wonderful idea and great pictures!
I already love it and pin it too.
I'm going to make it as soon as possible.
Samantha says
Hi Olga! Please let me know when you make it!! Thank you so much!
Karla @ Foodologie says
I can't wait to try to make this. It looks divine! I'd had a jar of tahini sitting in my cupboard unopened for a long time. It's ready to be used!
Whitney @ Jewhungry says
I'm also such a closet vegetarian. This recipe is legitimately ALL my favorite veggie flavors. Would be perfect this Passover season (you gotta be prepared)!
Samantha says
Ahh yes I need to stack up on matzoh asap!!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
I'm never one to turn down a big bowl of baba ghanoush, but I think the deconstructed version looks even better!
Samantha says
Thank you SO much Kiersten! Such a compliment from you...but now I am kinda obsessed with "stuffing" eggplant now!
Kevin @ Closet Cooking says
This sounds fabulous!
Samantha says
Hi Kevin! Thank you SOOO much for your awesome compliment! Eggplant may be my new addiction!
Tiffany says
I also feel that Sometimes I could go vegetarian. But, not vegan. Like you, I love cheese wayyy too much! This is such a great idea for a hearty veggie dish! This sounds so delightful with the tahini sauce and roasted beets. I'm pinning this!
cheri says
This is so clever, I absolutely adore eggplant. Just pinned.
Samantha says
Thank you sooooo much Cheri!