Romanian Eggplant Spread Salata De Vinate Food

NADIA'S "SALATA DE VINETE" EGGPLANT SALAD SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Pierce the eggplant skins in several places with a fork. Set the eggplants on a baking sheet and roast until soft and the skin is charred, 30 to 45 minutes, turning a few times for even roasting.
• When done, cut off the stems and peel the eggplants. Cut a slit along the side of each eggplant and transfer the eggplants to a strainer for a couple of minutes to allow the juices to drain.
• Finely chop the eggplants with a knife until they form a smooth puree. Add the eggplant puree to a bowl and stir in the olive oil and lemon juice until well-blended; taste and add more olive oil and lemon juice if desired. Add the onion and mix in the mayonnaise, adding more if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with dill and refrigerate for at least one hour to chill.

ROMANIAN EGGPLANT SPREAD (SALATA DE VINATE)

Steps:

• Place eggplant over open flame (gas stove or grill).
• Carefully turn to ensure all the skin on eggplants are completely charred. They will look black and be very limp and soft from end to end.
• Immediately remove charred skin by placing them under cool running water. Pick off as many of the burnt bits as possible.
• Place eggplant in a colander and sprinkle with 1-2 teaspoons of salt. Allow moisture to drain off for at least 10 minutes.
• Place eggplant on a non-metal surface (wood is best) and chop with a WOOD (or plastic) chopping knife until it is pretty much pureed. In Romania every kitchen has a special wooden knife specifically for this purpose. I have used my hard plastic bread dough tool. DO NOT USE METAL it will react with the eggplant and give it a funky flavor.
• Place into a NON-METAL bowl and blend in mayonnaise and onion with a non-metal utensil until you have a smooth mixture.
• Serve on crusty bread with a slice of ripe tomato on top.

SALATA DE VINETE

Steps:

• Pierce eggplants with a fork on all sides.
• Broil the eggplants on a broiling pan in the oven. Broil, rotating approximately every 20 minutes, until all sides are well cooked and the eggplants begin to collapse and release juices. You can test doneness by pressing on the eggplants with a spatula or turner: the flesh should give and juices should drain out. (You could also grill the eggplants to get a smokier flavor).
• Remove pan from oven. Weight eggplants (e.g. setting a pyrex pan on top and weighting with canned goods) and allow to cool and for additional juices to drain.
• Finely mince shallot.
• Peel off all eggplant skin. Put eggplant flesh in bowl. Mash with fork. Add shallot, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice to taste.
• Serve with delicious, crusty bread.