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GreekAuthentic Cuisine

Melitzanes Tiganites

Serves 4 to 6 Appetizer vegetarian, Appetizers

Melitzanes Tiganites

Melitzanes Tiganites, a beloved staple in Greek homes, finds its place on tables from bustling cities to quiet villages. This dish is not reserved for grand occasions; it's an everyday delight, crafted effortlessly with eggplants, flour, and an abundance of olive oil. It's the kind of recipe that doesn't require meticulous measurements, embodying the casual grace of Greek home cooking where salt is pinched with intuition and lemon is always at hand.

When done right, these fried eggplant slices are crisp on the outside, tender within, and perfectly seasoned with a sprinkle of fine sea salt. The golden disks invite a generous dollop of cool, creamy tzatziki, creating a contrast that dances on the palate. It's a simple pleasure, meant to be enjoyed warm, as a starter or a savory companion to the day's meal.

Ingredients

  • 2eggplants — sliced
  • 100 gflour
  • for fryingolive oil
  • tzatziki — to serve
  • to tastefine sea salt

Method

  1. Begin by washing the 2 eggplants thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. Slice them into rounds about 1/4 inch thick. Lay the slices on a clean kitchen towel and sprinkle them lightly with fine sea salt to draw out excess moisture and any bitterness. Allow them to rest for about 15 minutes until droplets of water form on the surface.
  2. While the eggplants are resting, prepare the coating. Place 100 g of flour into a shallow dish. This will be used to coat the eggplant slices, giving them a crispy texture when fried.
  3. After the eggplants have rested, pat them dry with paper towels to remove the moisture and excess salt. This step ensures the flour adheres properly and the slices fry evenly.
  4. Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. You need enough oil to cover the bottom of the pan by about 1/4 inch to ensure even frying. The oil is ready when a small pinch of flour sizzles upon contact.
  5. Dredge each eggplant slice in the flour, shaking off any excess. Carefully place the slices into the hot oil, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Fry the eggplants in batches if necessary. Cook each side for about 3-4 minutes until they turn golden brown and crisp, adjusting the heat as needed to maintain a steady sizzle without burning.
  6. Once the eggplant slices are golden brown, remove them from the pan and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil. This step keeps them crisp.
  7. Finish the dish by sprinkling the fried eggplant slices with a pinch of fine sea salt while they are still warm. Serve immediately with a side of tzatziki for dipping, and a wedge of lemon for squeezing over the top to enhance the flavors.
Cover of Authentic Greek Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Greek Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Greek Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Greek volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.