Mediterranean Eggplant Roll-Ups with Chickpea Filling
These Mediterranean Eggplant Roll-Ups are not only delightful to the eyes but also bursting with flavor and nutrition. Featuring grilled eggplant slices filled with a creamy chickpea and vegetable filling, they make for a perfect lunch or a satisfying snack. The dish is vegan-friendly and rich in protein, making it a wonderful choice for anyone looking to eat healthy without sacrificing taste. You can prepare the filling ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Serve these roll-ups as a light meal, appetizer, or party finger food and impress your guests with their vibrant colors and mouthwatering taste!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
eggplant
1 large (sliced lengthways into 1/4 inch thick 'tongues')
chickpeas
1 (14 ounce) can (drained)
tahini
6 tablespoons (none)
garlic
2 cloves (minced)
olive oil
3 tablespoons (divided)
bell pepper
1 small (chopped (red or yellow))
tomatoes
2 medium (chopped)
fresh mint
1 tablespoon (chopped)
lemon juice
2 tablespoons (none)
salt
to taste (none)
pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the eggplant: slice it lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick 'tongues'. If you have a single large eggplant, you can cut it into several slices, but using two small eggplants will work just as well. Sprinkle the slices with salt and let them sit for 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture and bitterness. Rinse each slice under cold water and pat them dry with kitchen paper.
2
In a food processor, combine the drained chickpeas, tahini, minced garlic, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Blend the ingredients until you achieve a smooth paste. Next, stir in the chopped bell pepper, tomatoes, chopped fresh mint, and season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Transfer the chickpea mixture to a bowl and cover it until ready to use.
3
Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Arrange the eggplant slices on the grill, brushing one side of each slice with a little of the remaining olive oil. Grill for about 5 minutes or until golden brown. Flip the slices over, brush with olive oil again, and grill for an additional 5 minutes until they are tender and slightly charred. Remove from the grill and allow them to cool slightly.
4
To assemble the roll-ups, take a grilled eggplant slice and spoon a portion of the chickpea filling onto the thinnest end of each slice. Gently roll the eggplant around the filling, securing it with the seam side facing down. If needed, you can secure the rolls with a cocktail stick to keep them from unraveling.
5
Serve the Mediterranean Eggplant Roll-Ups on a platter, garnished with extra fresh mint leaves or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main ingredient in Mediterranean Eggplant Roll-Ups?
The main ingredient is eggplant, which is sliced into tongues and filled with a chickpea mixture.
Is this Mediterranean Eggplant Roll-Up recipe vegan?
Yes, this recipe is vegan-friendly as it uses plant-based ingredients like chickpeas, tahini, and vegetables.
How should I slice the eggplant for this recipe?
You should slice the eggplant lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick pieces referred to as 'tongues'.
Why do I need to salt the eggplant before cooking?
Salting the eggplant for 30 minutes helps draw out excess moisture and removes potential bitterness.
How long should the eggplant sit with salt?
The eggplant slices should sit with salt for 30 minutes before being rinsed and patted dry.
What is the base of the filling for the roll-ups?
The base of the filling is a smooth paste made from drained chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and olive oil.
What vegetables are added to the chickpea filling?
The filling includes chopped bell peppers (red or yellow) and chopped tomatoes.
Can I prepare the filling in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the chickpea filling ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
What equipment is needed to make the chickpea paste?
A food processor is used to blend the chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and olive oil into a smooth consistency.
How long do I need to grill the eggplant slices?
Grill the slices for about 5 minutes per side, for a total of approximately 10 minutes.
What temperature should the grill or grill pan be set to?
The grill or grill pan should be preheated to medium-high heat.
How do I know when the eggplant is finished grilling?
The eggplant is ready when the slices are tender, golden brown, and slightly charred.
How do I assemble the Mediterranean Eggplant Roll-Ups?
Spoon a portion of the filling onto the thinnest end of a grilled eggplant slice and gently roll it up.
How do I keep the roll-ups from opening?
Secure the rolls by placing them seam-side down on the platter or use a cocktail stick if necessary.
What can I use as a garnish for this dish?
You can garnish the roll-ups with extra fresh mint leaves or a drizzle of olive oil.
Are these roll-ups high in protein?
Yes, the dish is described as rich in protein, primarily due to the inclusion of chickpeas and tahini.
What type of bell pepper should I use?
The recipe suggests using one small red or yellow chopped bell pepper.
How much tahini is required for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 6 tablespoons of tahini.
What fresh herb is used in the filling?
Fresh chopped mint is used to provide flavor to the chickpea and vegetable mixture.
How much lemon juice is needed?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
Can I use smaller eggplants for this recipe?
Yes, using two small eggplants will work just as well as using one single large eggplant.
Do I need to rinse the eggplant after salting?
Yes, you should rinse each slice under cold water to remove the salt and then pat them dry.
How many garlic cloves are in the filling?
The recipe uses 2 minced cloves of garlic.
Is olive oil used in both the filling and the cooking process?
Yes, one tablespoon is blended into the filling and the remaining oil is used for brushing the eggplant.
What is the total amount of olive oil used?
The recipe uses a total of 3 tablespoons of olive oil, divided between the filling and grilling.
Is this dish suitable for a party?
Yes, these roll-ups make excellent party finger food or appetizers due to their vibrant colors and taste.
What kind of meal can these roll-ups be served as?
They can be served as a light meal, a perfect lunch, or a satisfying snack.
How do I prepare the chickpeas for the filling?
You should use one 14-ounce can of chickpeas that has been drained.
What seasonings are added to the filling?
Salt and pepper are added to the chickpea and vegetable mixture to taste.
Should the eggplant be hot or cold when rolling?
The recipe suggests allowing the eggplant slices to cool slightly after grilling before you assemble the rolls.