Eggplant Caviar?
I went to a Greek market the other day to peruse the aisles when I came across something called "eggplant caviar" in a big jar. I asked the owner what it was and all she said was, "Is good with pita." Well, if it was good with pita bread, I had to have it!
As it turns out, they were out of pita bread that day, so I've been eating this stuff with saltine crackers. Has anyone heard of it? The label is in Greek, so I have no idea what it says- aside from the "eggplant caviar" that's literally in quotes on the front of the jar. It's tasty, but kind of odd. Kind of like baba ganoush, but not seeing as how it's blood red.
Is it gross that I'm eating this stuff out of the jar with crackers? Am I supposed to heat it up? Anybody?
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7 Comments:
It's never gross to eat eggplant caviar. Good stuff, yes? It's not supposed to be hot, although it would be tasty that way also.
It's basically just roasted, mashed eggplant with various stuff thrown in it. Like chicken soup, there's no set recipe for it. Balsamic vinegar or tomato paste or tomatoes are often added to it to get the red color.
chisai at 6:25AM on 04/28/09
I think it's sort of a caponata... it's great with pita, crackers (as you very well said) and on top of pastas or boiled root vegetables (potatoes, breadfruit or mashed green bananas ).
Madelyn
KarmaFreeCooking
MadelynRodriguez at 7:49AM on 04/28/09
I didn't know it came in jars--I heard a radio host once talk about it but didn't write down the recipe. I think it is basically chopped eggplant cooked for an insanely long time with olive oil and spices.
HeartofGlass at 8:32AM on 04/28/09
I'm not sure if this is the same thing, but at the Phonecian grocery store in Houston they have an eggplant dish called Eggplant Ikra - roasted eggplant with tomatoes, red bell peppers, garlic, and olive oil among other ingredients.
abstract duck at 10:28AM on 04/28/09
@ Abstract Duck: Eggplant Ikra is basically the russian version of the greek stuff - "ikra" meaning exactly "caviar"
Queenforoneday at 11:16AM on 04/28/09
Sounds very much like baba ganoush to me...Is there a difference?
BobbieAnne at 10:03AM on 04/29/09
LOVE this stuff! I used to eat a lot of it when I lived in Russia. It's great as a side dish or an appetizer, on sandwiches, with fish, with eggs.
@Bobbie Anne: it's not the same as baba ganoush b/c it has tomatoes and carrots most of the time. And it's grilled in pieces instead of pureed.
orchidgirl at 10:22AM on 04/29/09