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Ukrainian Roll Ups: Baked Eggplant Appetizer Recipe

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4.3 from 3 reviews

Ukrainian Roasted and Marinated Eggplant Rollups are light, spicy, and sharp and smothered in rich and savory sauce. A healthy appetizer that pairs well with a range of main dishes from rich casseroles to and simple grilled meats and rice.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium Eggplants
  • 1 small Red sweet bell pepper
  • 10 sprigs Parsley
  • 4 medium Cloves garlic
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Sugar
  • 1/4 tbsp White vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons Light olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Hot water
  • (Pepper flakes optional)

Instructions

Prepare Eggplant

  1. Slice from hat to heel into about 1/4 inch thick slices.
  2. Spread on a single on a paper towel and salt with about 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Allow to sweat for 15 minutes.
  3. Afterwards, rinse, pat dry, and divide between two parchment-lined baking sheets. There should be a single layer of eggplants on each pan.
  4. Drizzle the eggplants with 2 tbsp oil divided between the two sheet pans.
  5. Pop into a 425* oven for 15 minutes.
  6. At the 15-minute mark remove, flip, drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil divided between the two pans, and return to oven for 5-7 minutes.
  7. Eggplants will be slightly browned on the edges and pliable. Let cool.

Filling

  1. Char the pepper until the skin is black and blistered.
  2. Place in a plastic bag or covered bowl to remove skin.
  3. Using a hand blender, blend pepper and all ingredients except vinegar. It should be a thick paste.
  4. Heat this until the mixture just starts to bubble on the stove.
  5. Remove and add vinegar.
  6. Cool slightly before spreading 1 tablespoon of paste along the length of the eggplant.
  7. Roll from the narrow end in.
  8. Arrange rolls in a shallow dish.
  9. Spread the remaining paste over the top and refrigerate overnight.
  10. This will keep 4 days and be best the next day.
  11. Serve with fresh parsley and a bit of oil on the top, with rice, grilled meat, or just a crust chunk of bread.

Notes

Make sure to listen to Anisa's episode, Siberia, Diamonds, and Clowns! The Story of A Jewish Ukrainian Refugee while you make her baked vegan eggplant roll-ups!

Nutrition