What is this amazing eggplant dish?

July 6, 2009 3:33 AM

Tried an amazing eggplant dish on the weekend - no idea what it was. Help me find the recipe so I can make it at home!

I went to a local market over the weekend and picked up some salads from the Lebanese/Morroccan/Turkish stand (there was no sign, so I'm not sure which particular region it was from). One of the salads was a room temperature eggplant mush of some kind, and it was absolutely amazing. It wasn't babaganoush, as it was too tomato-y. I couldn't pick out any other distinct flavours - there were spices, but I'm not sure what, and pureed/smushed eggplant and tomatoes.

Anyone have any idea what it might have been? It was absolutely amazing, and I can't get the taste of it out of my head!

posted by shewhoeats to food & drink (11 comments total)

This Wikipedia page on eggplant salads and appetizers might help. In Indian cuisine, we have a really tomato-y eggplant dish called baingan ka bharta, which is on this page. Not sure about Lebanese/Moroccan/Turkish cuisines.
posted by larkin123 at 3:55 AM on July 6

I've had something like that before. Very tomato-y, very spicy. If I recall correctly, the package said "Turkish Eggplant Salad."
posted by espire at 4:01 AM on July 6

Was it eggplant caviar?
posted by chelseagirl at 4:41 AM on July 6

Sabra salads are available at most supermarkets, and they make something like this that they call "Italian Caponata."
posted by palliser at 5:34 AM on July 6

Here's a caponata recipe from epicurious (originally in bon appetit magazine), if you'd rather go that route.
posted by palliser at 5:38 AM on July 6

Zaalouk Maybe?
posted by Mastercheddaar at 5:50 AM on July 6 [8 favorites]

Baba ghanoush?
posted by ixohoxi at 5:57 AM on July 6

Oops. You said it wasn't that. [slinks away]
posted by ixohoxi at 5:58 AM on July 6

Was it Imam Bayildi per chance? It is also known as The Imam Fainted. Roasted eggplant, garlic, onion, and tomatoes.
posted by wg at 6:11 AM on July 6

Err... Imam Bayildi typically isn't pureed.
posted by wg at 6:16 AM on July 6

Thanks for all the suggestions, and thank you mastercheddaar - Zaalouk looks about right!
posted by shewhoeats at 6:26 AM on July 6