Mediterranean-Style Japanese Eggplant and Chickpea Salad
This Mediterranean eggplant chickpea salad features grilled Japanese eggplant, chickpeas, tomatoes, pine nuts, and basil in a simple vinaigrette. A hearty, fresh salad ready in 30 minutes.
Servings: 4
Calories: 249kcal
Ingredients
- 2 Japanese eggplants
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1-16 ounce can chickpeas rinsed and drained (1½ cups)
- 1 dry pint cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
- 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves torn
- 3 Tablespoons pine nuts (or substitute roughly chopped walnuts)
Instructions
- Slice the eggplants lengthwise. Brush each side with 1 teaspoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste.2 Japanese eggplants, 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper
- Grill the eggplant over high heat for approximately 5 minutes on each side.
- Transfer the eggplant to a plate and let it rest until cool enough to handle.
- Meanwhile, add the chickpeas, tomatoes, white wine vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a large bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.1-16 ounce can chickpeas, 1 dry pint cherry tomatoes, 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper
- Slice the grilled eggplant into bite-size pieces and add them to the salad.
- Add the torn basil leaves and pine nuts.1 cup fresh basil leaves, 3 Tablespoons pine nuts
- Gently toss everything together. Taste to adjust for salt and pepper.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat. For best flavor, serve at room temperature.
Notes
If you prefer to roast the eggplant instead of grilling, dice them into cubes, then toss with olive oil and a little salt and pepper. Roast the cubes on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper in the oven at 425°F for about 30 minutes, flipping after 20 minutes.
Leftover salad can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 320mg | Potassium: 752mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 3mg
