Moroccan Zaalouk Recipe: An Eggplant Tomato Dip
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Discover the tantalizing flavors of Morocco with our authentic Moroccan Zaalouk recipe.
Embark on a culinary journey to North Africa as we unveil the secrets of this traditional dish, bursting with rich spices and fresh ingredients.
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and impress your guests with this delightful vegetarian delicacy. Let’s delve into the aromatic world of Moroccan cuisine!
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While you may prefer to skip to the recipe card, we recommend reading through the blog post to avoid missing valuable tips and substitution suggestions and to ensure you have the necessary ingredients, equipment, and understanding of the steps and timings.
Moroccan Zaalouk Recipe
Zaalouk is a renowned Moroccan dish, typically served as a salad or dip.
The main ingredients are fresh tomatoes and eggplants that are cooked and seasoned with a distinctive blend of spices and herbs such as paprika, cumin, fresh garlic, and parsley.
While it is a salad, it’s frequently served as a dip due to its consistency, which can range from chunky to puree-like based on personal preference.
If you’ve ever tried Moroccan cuisine, you’ll know that it’s rich with bold flavors and warm spices, and this Moroccan eggplant and tomato salad stands out for its smoky flavor and delightful texture.
Zaalouk is often enjoyed with traditional Moroccan bread and is a popular accompaniment to various Moroccan main dishes.
For the best results, allow the zaalouk to sit briefly after cooking so the flavors can really come together.
Cooked Moroccan Salad
Zaalouk can be served in different ways, making it a great choice for entertaining.
If you’re hosting a Moroccan dinner party with traditional recipes, serve the Moroccan eggplant salad with fish or meat on the side.
Pack it up for a summer picnic or potluck and serve the dip with crackers or toasted pita, Zaalouk’s great flavor is a crowd-pleaser!
Let’s dive into the full recipe, which combines simple ingredients like fresh eggplant and ripe tomatoes to create a dish full of vibrant flavor.
What Can I Serve With Moroccan Zaalouk Dip?
- Pita Bread – to scoop up the flavorful dip.
- Grilled Chicken Kebabs: The smokiness of the kebabs complements the zaalouk.
- Couscous Salad: A light, refreshing accompaniment.
Ingredients & Equipment Used In This Recipe
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Ingredients Needed For Moroccan Zaalouk
- Fresh Produce – Eggplant (Aubergine), Tomatoes, Garlic, Parsley, Lemons
- Pantry – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sea Salt, Black Pepper
- Paprika
- Ground Cumin
- Pita Bread – for serving.
The complete list of ingredients with measurements is on the recipe card at the end of this post.
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Equipment Needed For This Recipe
- Dutch Oven – is a thick-walled cooking pot with a tight-fitting lid. In the UK, this would be a cast iron casserole dish with a lid that can be used on the stovetop. You could also use a large pan with a lid.
- Sharp Knife
- Chopping/Cutting Board
- Potato Masher
- Rubber/Silicone Spatula – or you could use a Wooden Spoon.
The complete list of ingredients with measurements is on the recipe card at the end of this post. The Purple Pumpkin Blog uses both cups and weighted measurements in its recipes, making American cups and kitchen food scales valuable tools for trying all the recipes. We provide US customary, imperial, and metric measurements. Still, it’s important to note that while you can combine cup measurements with weighted measures, never mix US customary/imperial (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.) with metric (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.).
Reasons You’ll Love Moroccan Zaalouk
- It captures the vibrant flavors of Moroccan cuisine.
- Packed with nutrient-rich vegetables, it is a very healthy dip recipe.
- It is a versatile dish that can be served hot or at room temperature. It pairs well with crusty bread, making it a delicious spread. It can also be a side dish accompanying grilled meats or fish.
- Zaalouk is naturally a vegetarian and vegan dish, making it suitable for those who follow these diets.
Dinner Party Menu Suggestions
You’ve made the appetizer, but what about the rest of the courses?
Here are additional recipes to create a menu for a dinner party or special meal:
- Soup: Chorizo & Red Lentil Soup
- Salad: Watermelon Feta Salad
- Main Dish: Chicken Shawarma
- Side Dish: Vegetable & Chickpea Tagine
- Cocktail: White Wine Sangria with Mixed Berries & Mint
- Dessert: Baklava Recipe with Honey & Walnuts
How Do I Make Moroccan Zaalouk Dip?
The printable recipe card with the ingredients list and instructions can be found at the end of this post.
Number of Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Step 1 – Preheat: Heat a Dutch oven (or large frying pan with a lid) over medium heat.
Step 2 – Cook Vegetables: Add the olive oil, eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, paprika, and cumin to the pan.
Season liberally with salt and pepper to taste and bring to a simmer.
Cover with the lid and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant and tomatoes become very soft.
TIP! If the tomatoes don’t release a lot of juice and the mixture seems too dry during cooking, add two tablespoons of water at a time, up to ¼ cup.
Step 3 – Finish Dish: Coarsely mash the eggplant and tomatoes with a potato masher and stir in the fresh parsley.
Continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the dip has thickened to desired consistency.
Stir in the lemon juice and serve immediately alongside some crusty bread for dipping. Enjoy!
More Recipes Using Eggplant
One of the hero ingredients in this recipe is eggplant, so here are some more using the same:
Recipe Tips
- Use ripe tomatoes for the best results.
- Roast the whole eggplants over an open fire before cooking for an extra smoky flavor.
- Add a splash of water if the tomato mixture seems too dry during cooking.
Storing Leftovers & Freezing
- Storing Leftovers:
- Store (cooled) leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Unfortunately, this dish does not freeze well due to the texture of the cooked eggplant.
- Freezing Instructions:
- This recipe is best enjoyed when freshly prepared.
- Zaalouk can be frozen. However, the texture may change.
- Cool completely and store in an airtight, freezer-safe container to help prevent freezer burn and eliminate unwanted freezer smells.
- Label with the dish’s name, thawing/reheating instructions, and the date to keep track of your food storage.
- Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- To defrost the zaalouk, place it in the fridge to thaw overnight (or at least 12 hours).
- When reheating, add a little water to preserve the original consistency.
- With all leftovers, ensure the food looks and smells okay before consuming.
- Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart for Cooking
- You can always consult the Food Standards Agency in your country for the most up-to-date advice on storing and freezing foods: Food Standards Agency (UK) | Food Safety (USA).
Printable Moroccan Zaalouk Recipe Card
The printable recipe card is below—please leave a star rating and quick review to share your experience with others!
Moroccan Zaalouk Dip
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium eggplant peeled and chopped
- 3 medium tomatoes peeled and chopped
- 2 medium garlic cloves minced
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ¼ cup water if needed
- ½ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ½ fresh lemon juiced
- Sea salt and black pepper to taste
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven (or pan with a lid) over medium heat.
- Add the olive oil, eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, paprika, and cumin to the pan. Season liberally with salt and pepper to taste and bring to a simmer. Cover with the lid and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant and tomatoes become very soft. TIP! If the tomatoes don’t release a lot of juice and the mixture seems too dry during cooking, add two tablespoons of water at a time, up to ¼ cup.
- Coarsely mash the eggplant and tomatoes with a potato masher and stir in the fresh parsley. Continue cooking for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the dip has thickened to desired consistency. Stir in the lemon juice and serve immediately alongside some crusty bread for dipping. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
More Dip Recipes
Are you looking for more dips to make? Check these recipes out next:
- How To Make Baba Ganoush (Baba Ghanoush) – a Middle Eastern eggplant dip.
- Roasted Zucchini Dip
- Tzatziki Recipe