Eggplant and Onion Salad with Cumin and Pomegranate

Photo and Recipe by Kim Sunée

Until grilling season, roasting eggplant and onion together makes for a quick and easy smoky eggplant dip that satisfies as a snack or salad.  For color and a flavorful crunch, top with fresh pomegranate arils.  In summer, try this with fresh tomato.

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Eggplant and Onion Salad with Cumin and Pomegranate

Course Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetarian

Cuisine Indian

Ingredients

• 1 large eggplant (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• 1 large onion quartered
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 1/2 tbsp tahini paste (sesame paste)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or walnut oil
• fresh chopped cilantro or mint leaves, for garnish
• fresh pomegranate arils, for garnish

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 425°. Place whole eggplant and onion quarters on a baking sheet and roast in oven for 45 minutes or until eggplant is tender when pierced with tip of knife. If onion is starting to brown too much, remove and continue roasting eggplant until tender. Let eggplant and onion cool. When eggplant is cool enough to handle, cut in half lengthwise and scoop roasted eggplant out of shell, discarding peel, and place eggplant in bowl of a food processor.
• Add roasted onion, garlic, lemon juice,and ground cumin to eggplant; blend until smooth and well combined. Taste and add more salt or lemon juice, as needed. Place in a shallow bowl and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro or mint, a drizzle of extra virgin olive or walnut oil, and top with fresh pomegranate arils. Serve at room temperature with crackers or flatbread.