I wanted to make Zobayda's recipe for the eggplant relish since a while but I kept making excuses for not having all the ingredients. Today, I finally plucked up my courage and decided to make it by hook or by crook.
First of all, I wasn't sure how much I should add spices and vinegar as the amount she described was meant for five kilos, or for a kilo if you're a fan of spiced food but I'm not.
I bought only half a kilo of eggplants. After boiling the eggplants in water, I remembered that I didn't prepare the carrot which was a substitute for shallot as she recommended to me. I cut one big carrot into cubes and boiled it. It seems I didn't boil it enough as afterward when I boiled it in vinegar, the eggplants turned into a puree while the carrot kept its shape!
I then added half a cup of red vinegar and the spices but in a few minutes, the vinegar was totally absorbed and the vegetables got stuck in the pan. I added a little white vinegar. Again, it was absorbed so I added some apple vinegar. I have no idea why I mixed different types of vinegar! Anyway, in less than half an hour, I decided to turn off the stove after I had added the tamarind. I left it to cool down and then I blended it with a hand blender.
It tastes good but I feel as if there's something missing or maybe something extra! I don't know!
Later, I found that the kind of spices in the cupboard that I didn't know what it was, was fennel seeds. But it was too late as I was already done with the recipe.
You can find Zobayda's recipe here
The picture looks perfect for me! I've never had eggplant relish in my entire life. Does it taste sour? How do you eat it?
It tastes sour and sweet at the same time! I had it with fried chicken and rice. I think it will be a good combination with a sandwich of falafel!
Good morning, ZZ! Thank you for teaching me. I like the flavor has sourness and sweetness together. I can image having fried chicken with it. It must be yummy! I goggled what the falafel sandwich is and it looks delicious.
It's too creative to add 3 kinds of vinegar in the first try. I'm sure it doesn't make a big difference in the taste. It looks nice actually. It's a little light, which is because of the carrot. Good job!
I will try not to be that creative in my next first tries! :DD
Thank you so much for sharing the recipe with us, @Zobayda!
😁😊 My pleasure!