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Baked Eggplant — traditional dish from Asia Minor, Greece
Main course Vegan

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥420kcal
💪5gProtein
🌾45gCarbs
🥑25gFat
🌿10gFibre
⚖️350 gServing

* Per serving · 350 g. May vary.

Baked Eggplant

How to order / say it
Say it Μελιτζάνες Ιμάμ — [meh-leed-ZAH-nehs ee-MAHM]
Order I'd like the melitzanes imam, please.
Locally Θα ήθελα τις μελιτζάνες ιμάμ, παρακαλώ.
Say locally

Eggplant halves baked with a rich, spiced tomato sauce.

Why try it?

Melitzanes Imam is a cross-cultural delight, symbolizing the blend of Greek and Ottoman culinary traditions.

How it tastes

The eggplant melts in your mouth, soaked in a sauce that's both sweet and aromatic, with a hint of spice.

Origin & History — first documented: 1780

Brought to Greece during the Ottoman rule, this dish has been adapted over generations, becoming a beloved vegetarian option in Greek households since the late 18th century.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥕 500 g eggplants
  • 🧄 1 onion
  • 🧄 3 cloves garlic
  • 🥕 200 ml tomato sauce
  • 🫒 100 ml olive oil
  • 🧂 5 g cinnamon

Method

  1. 1 Halve eggplants, scoop some flesh to create a cavity.
  2. 2 Sauté onion and garlic, add tomato sauce and cinnamon.
  3. 3 Place eggplants in a baking dish, fill with sauce.
  4. 4 Bake at 180°C for 45 minutes until tender.
All Europe recipes — Greece — Athens — Baked Eggplant
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