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Makdous

Oil-cured eggplants stuffed with walnuts and red pepper.

3 minutes
Serves 4
Breakfast/Snack

Instructions

  1. 1

    Remove the tough stem caps from the baby eggplants, but leave the tops intact. Boil them in a large pot of water for 10-15 minutes until just tender but not mushy. Plunge into an ice bath to cool.

  2. 2

    Slit each eggplant lengthwise down the middle (without cutting all the way through). Rub the inside of each slit generously with kosher salt.

  3. 3

    Place the salted eggplants in a colander, cover with a heavy plate and a weight, and let them drain at room temperature for 2 to 3 days until all the bitter liquid is expelled.

  4. 4

    In a bowl, mix the finely chopped walnuts, diced red bell pepper, minced garlic, and Aleppo pepper.

  5. 5

    Stuff a generous spoonful of the walnut mixture tightly into the slit of each drained eggplant.

  6. 6

    Pack the stuffed eggplants tightly into a sterilized glass jar. Fill the jar completely with olive oil, ensuring no eggplants are exposed to air. Seal tightly and let them cure in a cool, dark place for 2 to 3 weeks before eating.

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