These eggplant fritters are sort of a hybrid of pakoras and falafels. Zhug, a traditional Yemenite sauce, is slightly spicy and refreshing. A dollop of greek yogurt or a crumble of feta would round out this dish nicely.
Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant, grated $1
- 1 small red onion, chopped $0.50
- 1 small bunch flat-leaf parsley, chopped $1
- 1/8 cup bread crumbs $2 for 16 oz.
- 1 15 oz. can garbanzo beans (chickpeas) $1
- olive oil Pantry
- 1 green jalapeno, seeded $0.50
- 1 small bunch cilantro $1
- 1 small bunch mint $1
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed Pantry
- juice of 1 lemon $0.50
- salt and pepper to taste Pantry
Recipe Serves 2
Directions
- Squeeze eggplant to remove excess liquid. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, smash chickpeas with the back of a fork until the consistency of lumpy hummus. Add eggplant, onion, parsley, bread crumbs and 1 tbsp olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a medium frying pan over medium-high heat. Form eggplant-chickpea mixture into falafel-sized patties. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side or until brown and crispy on the outside. Don't worry if the patties crumble.
- In a food processor or blender combine jalapeno, cilantro, mint, garlic, lemon, 1 tbsp olive oil and lemon. Add more olive oil and lemon juice if necessary to achieve a smooth consistency and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the fritters atop a pool of the zhug and garnish with red pepper flakes if desired.
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What They're Saying
A., on Dec 29, 01:26 PM, wrote:
DELICIOUS! I made these, but with Italian variation (basil, parmesan, and a bit of spinach in the fritters) served with marinara sauce instead of zhug. Loved them. Thanks for the idea!
Sheila, on Jun 8, 12:55 PM, wrote:
Do you have to salt the eggplant first? I just picked my first eggplant from our garden and I’d like to do something special with it. :) Thanks for the idea!