Description
Zaalouk is a traditional Moroccan eggplant and tomato dip, served warm or at room temperature, that delights with its rich, smoky flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large globe eggplants (approximately 1½ lbs / 680g total)
- 4 large ripe tomatoes or one 14 oz (400g) can of crushed tomatoes
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ¼ cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped, plus extra for garnish
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Roast the eggplants. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Pierce each eggplant all over with a fork 8–10 times. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Roast for 35–40 minutes until fully collapsed. Remove and cool.
- Drain the eggplant. Cut each eggplant in half lengthwise, scoop out the flesh, and drain in a colander for 5 minutes. Chop roughly.
- Make the jammy tomato sauce. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet, add garlic, and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste if using, followed by diced tomatoes, cumin, both paprikas, cayenne, and salt. Cook for 15–20 minutes until the sauce is thick.
- Combine and cook together. Add the chopped eggplant to the sauce with cilantro and parsley. Stir thoroughly and cook on low for 10–15 minutes until fully merged.
- Finish and cool. Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice, taste and adjust seasoning, then transfer to a serving bowl. Cool to room temperature and drizzle with olive oil before serving.
Notes
Zaalouk tastes better the next day as the flavors deepen. It can be refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for 2 months. Serve with crusty bread or pita.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Moroccan
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg