Heart-Healthy Salata de Vinete

Indulge in the delicious and nutritious flavors of Heart-Healthy Salata de Vinete, a lighter twist on the traditional Romanian eggplant salad. This elevated recipe combines smoky roasted eggplants with a zesty blend of fresh lemon juice, garlic, and parsley, drizzled with heart-friendly extra virgin olive oil for a velvety texture. Finely diced red onion adds a subtle crunch, while cherry tomatoes offer a burst of sweetness. Served atop toasted whole grain bread, this vibrant dish is perfect as a wholesome appetizer or a satisfying snack. Ready in under an hour and filled with fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats, this Mediterranean-inspired masterpiece is as good for your heart as it is for your taste buds.

Nutriscore Rating: 83/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 large eggplants
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 large garlic cloves
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 10 units cherry tomatoes
• 4 slices toasted whole grain bread

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 2

Wash and dry the eggplants. Prick them a few times with a fork to allow steam to escape.

Step 3

Place the eggplants directly on the middle oven rack with a baking sheet on the rack below to catch any drips.

Step 4

Roast the eggplants for about 30 minutes, turning them halfway through, until the skin is charred and the flesh is very soft.

Step 5

Remove the eggplants from the oven and let them cool until they're easy to handle.

Step 6

Once cooled, cut the eggplants in half and scoop out the flesh into a bowl, discarding the skin.

Step 7

Mash the eggplant flesh with a fork or potato masher until it reaches your desired consistency.

Step 8

Mince the garlic cloves and finely chop the red onion and fresh parsley.

Step 9

Add the minced garlic, chopped onion, and parsley to the mashed eggplant.

Step 10

Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice over the mixture.

Step 11

Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix everything gently to combine.

Step 12

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Step 13

Halve the cherry tomatoes and arrange them on each of the toasted whole grain bread slices.

Step 14

Spread a generous amount of the eggplant mixture on top of each bread slice, over the tomatoes.

Step 15

Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your heart-healthy Salata de Vinete!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1401.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	989.6

Total Fat 48.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 7.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 1821.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 129.4g	0%
Dietary Fiber 40.0g	0%
Total Sugars 43.1g
Protein 28.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 331.4mg	0%
Iron 9.6mg	0%
Potassium 3026.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.8%

Protein: 10.7%

Carbs: 48.5%