Za’atar-Marinated Eggplant with Tahini & Pistachios
If you think you don't like eggplant, these tender grilled skewers change your mind. The overnight marinade is the secret—it infuses the eggplant with so much flavor and ensures it gets that perfect, buttery texture on the grill. I love serving these on a big platter with plenty of fresh parsley and extra lemon wedges for everyone to dig into!
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Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 245kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 Japanese eggplant, or other eggplant, cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp sherry vinegar
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp za'atar
- 2 tsp sumac
- 2 tsp sesame seeds
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- labne
- 2 Tbsp tahini
- 2 Tbsp chopped parsley
- 2 Tbsp pistachios, roughly chopped, for serving, optional
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Make the marinade. Combine 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 Tbsp honey, 1 Tbsp sherry vinegar, 1 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 Tbsp za'atar, 2 tsp sumac, 2 tsp sesame seeds, and 2 cloves of chopped garlic in a small bowl, then whisk to combine.
- Marinate the eggplant. Place eggplant pieces in a large mixing bowl, then pour the marinade on top. Toss to thoroughly coat, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- Soak the skewers. If using bamboo skewers, place them in a container then cover with water and let soak for at least 30 minutes. Drain.
- Assemble the eggplant skewers. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated eggplant onto skewers, leaving a few inches at the top and bottom of each. It's okay for the eggplant to be touching.
- Grill the skewers. Lightly spray the preheated grill with nonstick cooking spray. Place skewers on, leaving about 1-2 inches in between each. Cook for 4-6 minutes, then carefully use tongs to flip the skewers over. Cook an additional 4-6 minutes, or until the eggplant is charred, but creamy and tender. Remove from the grill.
- Recommended serving: Serve the skewers over labne with a drizzle of tahini, chopped pistachios, chopped parsley, and lemon wedges. Can be served warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition
Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 498mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 266IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 65mg | Iron: 3mg
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