This fresh, summery salad combines soft grilled eggplants and lots of fresh herbs. Make a big batch since cold leftovers make great pita fillings with hummus and extra greens. Serve with a big squeeze of lemon for a refreshing kick.
Za’atar Grilled Eggplant Salad [Vegan]
Ingredients You Need for Za’atar Grilled Eggplant Salad [Vegan]
For the Salad:
- 4 small eggplants
- Salt
- Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon za’atar (recipe below)
- 1 cup beluga lentils, preferably soaked overnight
- 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
- 1/4 cup golden raisins or currants
- 1 cup packed fresh herbs; mint, parsley, and dill
- Juice and zest of one lemon
- Black pepper and salt, to taste
For the Za’atar Home Blend:
- 1/4 cup sumac
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 tablespoons dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon dried marjoram
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
How to Prepare Za’atar Grilled Eggplant Salad [Vegan]
To Make the Za’atar Home Blend:
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Keep in an airtight jar in your pantry.
To Make the Salad:
- Slice the eggplant into rounds, place in a colander, and sprinkle generously with sea salt. Set aside for 30 minutes, or up to 1 hour, flipping over every now and then.
- Rinse and drain the lentils, and place in a large pot with 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes, until the lentils are cooked al dente. Don’t overcook, or you will have a mushy salad. Drain any excess water and rinse the lentils clean. Set aside.
- Preheat your bbq or grill pan to medium-high heat, and lightly press the eggplant with a kitchen towel to remove any excess water. Brush the sides generously with olive oil and sprinkle with za’atar. Place on a grill and flip after 5-7 minutes, then cook for another 5-7 minutes. Brush with extra olive oil if looking dry. Eggplant is done when the meaty center is soft and tender.
- Toss the cooked, cooled lentils with all the herbs, raisins, and toasted pine nuts. Season with salt and pepper and dress with a little olive oil and fresh lemon juice.
- Top with grilled eggplant, sprinkle with extra za’atar and lemon zest.
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Nutritional Information
Total Calories: 1062 | Total Carbs: 193 g | Total Fat: 28 g | Total Protein: 38 g | Total Sodium: 88 g | Total Sugar: 110 g Calculation not including salt used on eggplants prior to cooking, oil used to brush eggplant, tablespoon of za'atar mix, or salt and pepper to taste.
Note: The information shown is based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.Help keep One Green Planet free and independent! Together we can ensure our platform remains a hub for empowering ideas committed to fighting for a sustainable, healthy, and compassionate world. Please support us in keeping our mission strong.
I enjoy lentil in my salads. Eggplant no so much. But I love what you\’ve done with this dish. As a hardcore carnivore moving towards a vegetarian diet for health reasons, never knew meatless food could be so tasty. Having lived in Dubai for a couple of years, I find our store-bought Za’atar tasting different. Not as tangy or fresh. I think, it’s the quality of ingredients or the use of regular thyme and marjoram instead of zaatar herb. After searching around, I finally found a pure blend with lots of sumac, wild thyme and sesame seeds. I get mine from an online store https://www.eatzaatar.com. Best of all, the company offers free shipping in US and Canada.
Andrina Wright
Looks good