Baked Vegetable Salad with Chickpeas
6 servings
30 minutes
Roasted vegetable and chickpea salad is a true symphony of Mediterranean flavors. This recipe combines the softness of roasted eggplant, the sweetness of red pepper, and the freshness of tomatoes, creating a harmonious balance of textures and aromas. The history of such dishes traces back to the traditions of European and Middle Eastern cuisines, where chickpeas served as a nutritious base and roasted vegetables added depth of flavor. A dressing made from lemon juice and olive oil enhances the natural tones of the ingredients, while cumin adds a warm spicy accent. This salad is perfect as a standalone dish or as a side to meat and fish. Its refreshing taste makes it an excellent choice for summer picnics or light dinners.
1
If you are using uncanned chickpeas, soak them overnight.
- Chickpeas: 1 glass
2
In the morning, drain the water, fill with cold water and cook for about 20-30 minutes until ready over medium heat. Drain the water and cool the chickpeas.
- Chickpeas: 1 glass
3
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees.
4
Make diagonal cuts on the eggplant, brush the pepper with olive oil, and cut the onion into 4 pieces.
- Eggplants: 1 piece
- Fresh red pepper: 1 piece
- Red onion: 1 piece
5
Bake the vegetables in the oven for 20 minutes; place the pepper in a plastic bag or container and put it in the fridge to easily remove the skin.
- Fresh red pepper: 1 piece
- Red onion: 1 piece
6
After 20 minutes, flip the eggplant and bake for another 20 minutes. Let the vegetables cool.
- Eggplants: 1 piece
7
For the dressing, squeeze the juice of half a lemon and mix it with olive oil (the ratio should be 1:3 (juice/oil)).
- Lemon: 0.5 piece
- Olive oil: 6 tablespoons
8
Roast cumin seeds in a hot pan without oil and grind them in a mortar with a pinch of salt. Peel the eggplant and cut it into large pieces about 1 cm.
- Cumin seeds (jeera): 2 teaspoons
- Salt: to taste
9
Peel the skin off the pepper and cut it into strips.
- Fresh red pepper: 1 piece
10
It's better to choose pink or plum tomatoes (i.e., those with less juice), and cut them into cubes about 1 cm.
- Tomatoes: 2 pieces
11
Mix the vegetables and add mint leaves removed from the stem and diagonally sliced green onions about 2 cm long.
- Fresh mint: 1 bunch
- Green onions: 4 stems
12
Add the dressing and refrigerate for an hour.
- Olive oil: 6 tablespoons
- Salt: to taste
- Ground black pepper: to taste