Shawarma eggplant is a satisfying plant-based entrée that has all the spices and flavors of your favorite grilled meat. This vegetarian main is versatile and customizable and can be prepared in advance, making it ideal for hosting. A slather of Michael Solomonv’s herbaceous, spicy Yemenite zhug on top adds the necessary zing and heat. For a little extra protein, drizzle the roasted eggplant with tahini, serve it on a swirl of labneh, or add roasted chickpeas on top.

Olive oil is eggplant’s best friend, making it satisfyingly rich. First, you’ll brush oil onto the eggplant before it’s roasted, then drizzle it mid-bake, and again when it comes out of the oven. Crusted with spices, the eggplant emerges from the oven browned and fork-tender. You can swap the homemade shawarma spice blend with your favorite store-bought mix; and if you’re not an eggplant fan, you can swap it for thick-cut cauliflower steaks or large zucchini and summer squash.

Eggplant Shawarma with Zhug
Serves 6

For the shawarma spice blend:

1½ tsp ground coriander
1½ tsp ground cumin
1½ tsp sweet paprika
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper (optional)
¼ tsp ground allspice
¼ tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp brown sugar (optional)

For the eggplant:

3 large eggplants (2½-3 lb)
¼ cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
salt, as needed
chopped parsley, mint or cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

Start by slicing your eggplants in half from top to bottom. Score the eggplant diagonally in a crosshatch pattern, slicing toward the bottom without piercing all the way through. Generously salt, then rub salt into the scored eggplant halves. Let the eggplants sit while the oven preheats and you prep the rest of the ingredients, at least 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
For the shawarma spice blend, whisk everything together in a small bowl. Alternatively use 3 Tbsp of your favorite shawarma spice blend, and add the brown sugar to the blend.
Once the oven is preheated and the eggplant has rested, pat the tops of the eggplant dry, then brush each half of the eggplant with oil until the entire ¼ cup of oil is absorbed evenly.
Rub about 1½ teaspoons of the spice blend into each of the 6 halves of the eggplant. Top with a drizzle of olive oil.
Roast the eggplant for 30 minutes, then drizzle with more oil. Roast for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until deep golden brown and completely tender. Cooking times may vary depending on your oven and the size of the eggplant; begin to check for doneness after 40 minutes.
While the eggplant is roasting, prepare the zhug, if desired.
Drizzle the eggplant with oil just prior to serving, and garnish with fresh herbs. Eggplant can be made in advance, stored in the refrigerator, and reheated in a covered baking dish until warm.

I call any eggs cooked in any kind of red vegetable sauce a Shakshuka. If you want to make a more traditional version, you can try Ottolenghi's recipe (he also has a good one in his Jerusalem cookbook).

Clearly, I love egg dishes. But I especially love egg dishes that can be made for a crowd. Omelets or fried eggs are you usually best in small batches, but when you bake eggs, you can get a whole bunch going at one time... and that means that this type of dish can be served at a brunch, lunch, or even at a dinner party. They're still best served hot and fresh, but the sauce can be made ahead of time, and you could add and cook the eggs at the last minute for your guests.

I served this dish to my family for lunch along with a salad, and good crusty bread. Good crusty bread should probably be listed as an ingredient in this recipe.

This dish is super satisfying, deeply flavorful, and easily adjustable. Add or omit the veggies you like. The key is to have a chunky homemade tomato sauce with lots of veggies that has a kick to it. However you make it, enjoy!

Eggplant and Zucchini Shakshuka
Serves 4

1 small eggplant, cubed
1 tablespoon kosher salt
olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 small bell pepper (orange or red), diced
1 small zucchini, cubed
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large tomato, diced
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon turmeric
big pinch crushed red chili flake (or to taste)
1 heaping tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup plain tomato sauce/pureed tomatoes
1 teaspoon honey (or to taste)
salt and pepper to taste
8 eggs (2 per person)
chopped flat leaf parsley, for garnish

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Start by preparing your eggplant. Cut it into small cubes, and sprinkle the cubes evenly with a tablespoon of kosher salt. Let it stand in a colander for 30 minutes. The salt will make the eggplant less bitter, and it will also prevent it from getting to soggy.

While your eggplant sits in salt, prep the rest of your veggies.

On medium high heat, drizzle in a few tablespoons of olive oil into a large cast iron skillet or braiser Dutch oven (if you don't have either, you can use 2 skillets, stainless steel is better than non-stick... but use what you got!). Let the olive oil get hot, and then add the salted and drained eggplant. Cook the eggplant until it starts to brown and soften, and is mostly cooked through.

Next, add the onion, pepper, and zucchini. Cook until all of the veggies soften and start to brown, about 6-8 minutes. Add more oil if the pan looks dry. Add the garlic, and cook until it softens and starts to smell aromatic, about 1-2 minutes. Add the tomato, then add the spices and cook everything for one minute until the veggies are coated in the spice mixture. Add the tomato paste, and coat all of the veggies in it. Finally add the tomato puree. You should have a very chunky sauce. You can add more or less tomato puree depending on your preference. Finally, season the sauce with honey, salt and pepper. The honey balances out the acidity of the tomatoes, and you can use less or more based on your preference.

Allow the sauce to simmer for 3-5 more minutes, until all of the veggies are fully cooked, and the flavors have come together.

Turn the heat off. At this point, you can reserve the sauce and reheat it just before you are about to cook the eggs. If you are using it immediately, make 8 little wells in the pan. Add one cracked egg to each little well. Cover the pan with a lid, and place it in the oven for 6-8 minutes, or until the eggs are still giggly, but the whites have started to turn opaque above the yolks. Garnish with chopped parsley (not shown in photo, but adds a really nice fresh flavor).

Serve immediately with the aforementioned crusty bread, especially if that bread is toasted!