Simple Herb and Eggplant Appetizer with Walnuts

Are you looking for a healthy appetizer under 30 minutes? This one is a must try! This Herb Eggplant Appetizer with Walnuts is definitely a no-guilt starter.

What’s so great about eggplant?

Lately, I’ve been remembering all the great food my mom used to cook when I was growing up. She was a pretty decent chef! One of my favorite recipes that she prepared is her delicious Eggplant Rolls.

Now, not everyone is in the eggplant lovers club, but I believe that’s just because they haven’t tried it when prepared well. I have always been an eggplant lover (thanks, Mom!), and was happy to hear that one cup of cooked, cubed eggplant contains only 20-35 calories.

This dish doesn’t take a long time to make, so I always enjoy making it. Eggplant recipes aren’t hard to make in general, so if this is your first time, you’re in for an amazing treat. Next time you could try an easy make-ahead summer eggplant salad or an eggplant dip!

These are Georgian eggplant rolls, a traditional dish that are super easy to make. You can find them on the menu of some Georgian restaurants. Sometimes it can even be in the form of an eggplant walnut dip.

The dish may be different, but the flavors are the same. It makes quite a healthy dip! It’s nice to know that you can take the same ingredients and put them together in different ways. For example, baba ganoush.

What are the benefits of eggplant?

I found a few more reasons to love eggplant, too; it contains fiber, which helps protect the digestive tract and control diabetes. While you can take the skin off the eggplant for this recipe, I encourage you to leave it on. The skin contains nasunin, a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger shown to protect the lipids in brain cell membranes. I guess that kind of makes eggplant brain food!

Another one of the important main ingredients in this recipe is garlic. It adds such a delicious taste when rolled up with the eggplant and makes the first bite rich in garlic tones. With its inflammation-fighting properties and vitamin C, it supports your immune system.

Key Ingredients

First gather the ingredients, which are simple yet contain a whole lot of nutrition.

Eggplant: You will need a medium-sized eggplant. If you’re using small eggplants, make less of the herb mixture. If you’re using large eggplants, don’t forget to add more of the herb mixture.

Herbs: Only fresh parsley, cilantro, and dill. Dried herbs will not work for this recipe.

Sour Cream: You can also substitute for mayonnaise, if you prefer it.

Walnuts are a great nut that boost memory and brain benefits. You’ll need a half cup of walnuts (about 50 grams of walnuts.)

Garlic: Several garlic cloves give a great flavor kick to this side dish.

Extra virgin olive oil: For frying the eggplant slices. You may use any oil you like, but try to use a light one, preferably a vegetable oil.

Salt: You’ll need a teaspoon or two to your taste, to season the eggplant.

Keep some paper towels nearby, you’ll need them to take off some of the excess oil.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

Expert Tips

• Choosing a longer eggplant is helpful when making more servings of this delicious recipe. That way, you can have nice and large rolls.
• A sharp knife will help you smoothly chop your eggplant slices, and thin as well. The eggplant will soften as it’s fried.
• For the frying portion, don’t hesitate to get out a deep skillet. You’ll have enough oil to fry them but if you want to add more, it’s up to you. The amount of oil may be 3 Tablespoons. If you’re making more eggplant than the servings in this recipe, then you can always adjust.
• Make the gluten free herb mixture ahead of time! You can prep it several hours ahead of time and store it in the fridge covered with plastic wrap. When you’re ready and have fried the eggplant slices, it’ll be ready to go.

Recipe FAQs

Did you enjoy this traditional Georgian eggplant appetizer? You might love some more Georgian food recipes:

• This Georgian Chicken in Garlic Walnut Sauce with Spices (Satcivi) has traditional khmeli suneli seasoning!
• Juicy Lula Lamb Kebabs Baked in the Oven (Lamb Kebabs) are a delicious Slavic treat.

Other eggplant recipes

If you tried this Herb and Eggplant Appetizer with Walnuts or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!