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Roasted Eggplant Sabich Sandwiches

5.0

(1)

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Photo by Alex Lau, styling by Sean Dooley

Sabich, a popular Israeli street food, is a pita-busting combination of a bunch of great appetizers. To serve these to a group, you can set out the assorted fillings on individual plates and platters and let guests build their own.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6

Ingredients

2 tablespoons za’atar
3 garlic cloves, finely grated, divided
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 large or 2 medium Italian eggplants (about 20 ounces), cut into ¾-inch-thick rounds
Kosher salt
½ cup parsley leaves with tender stems
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped chives, divided
½ cup tahini
2 Persian cucumbers, quartered, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ cup chopped mint
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup prepared hummus
3 tablespoons (or more) harissa
½ teaspoon ground cumin
Toasted pita, thinly shredded cabbage, quartered hard- or soft-boiled eggs, and Israeli pickles (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place a rack in center of oven; preheat to 450°. Whisk za’atar, 2 garlic cloves, and ½ cup oil in a small bowl. Spoon over both sides of eggplant rounds (about 1 tsp. per side) and rub into flesh. It will absorb, so use all of the za’atar oil! Generously season with salt. Roast eggplant on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet until tender and beginning to brown in spots, 35–45 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, pulse parsley and ½ cup chives in a food processor until finely chopped. Add tahini and pulse until smooth. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in ½ cup water and continue to pulse until sauce is the consistency of a thin yogurt; season with salt.

    Step 3

    Toss cucumbers, tomatoes, mint, lemon juice, and remaining garlic clove, 2 Tbsp. oil, and 2 Tbsp. chives in a medium bowl; season Israeli salad with salt.

    Step 4

    Mix hummus, harissa, and cumin in a small bowl (if you like it spicy, add more harissa).

    Step 5

    Generously spread tahini sauce and hummus mixture inside pita. Place a few rounds of eggplant (or one if using a large eggplant) inside. Stuff pita with Israeli salad, cabbage, eggs, and pickles.

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