Side Dish · Mediterranean · African ·

Spicy Moroccan Zaalouk with Eggplant and Tomatoes

Name: Spicy Moroccan Zaalouk with Eggplant and Tomatoes
Prep time: 23 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 93 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Side Dish
Ingredients: 2 medium eggplants, peeled and diced; 3 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped; 3 cloves garlic, finely minced; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon sweet paprika; 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; Salt and black pepper, to taste; Juice of 1/2 lemon, freshly squeezed; Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped; Lemon wedges

This spicy Moroccan zaalouk combines tender eggplants and juicy tomatoes for a smoky, savory treat perfect as a side or dip.

4.9(547 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 27, 2025

Spicy Moroccan Zaalouk with Eggplant and Tomatoes — Side Dish served and photographed from above

Prep

23 min

Cook

1 h 10 min

Difficulty

Easy

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Eggplant and Tomato Base

Spices and Seasonings

Optional Garnishes

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 110 kcal
Protein: 1.8 g
Carbs: 11.5 g
Fat: 7.2 g
Fiber: 4.2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 438 kcal
Protein: 7.2 g
Carbs: 46 g
Fat: 28.9 g
Fiber: 16.7 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
2 medium eggplants peeled and diced	80	2	20	0.5	10
3 large tomatoes peeled, seeded, and chopped	66	3	14	0.4	3.9
3 cloves garlic finely minced	13	0.6	3	0	0.2
1 tablespoon tomato paste	13	0.5	3	0.1	0.5
2 tablespoons olive oil	239	0	0	27	0
1 teaspoon ground cumin	8	0.4	1	0.5	0.5
1 teaspoon sweet paprika	6	0.3	1.2	0.3	0.8
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper	3	0.1	0.6	0.2	0.3
Salt and black pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Juice of 1/2 lemon freshly squeezed	6	0.1	2	0	0.1
Fresh parsley or cilantro chopped	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
Lemon wedges	3	0.1	1	0	0.3

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Prepping the Vegetables

1
Salt the eggplant
Place the diced eggplant in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 15 minutes to remove bitterness.
2
Rinse and dry
Rinse the eggplant cubes thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with a kitchen towel.
3
Prepare the tomatoes
Remove seeds and dice the tomatoes finely.

Mixing the Spices

1
Combine spices
In a bowl, combine ground cumin, sweet paprika, cayenne pepper, and a dash of black pepper.
2
Mix and set aside
Mix well and set aside for seasoning later.

How to Make Spicy Moroccan Zaalouk with Eggplant and Tomatoes

Total time: 1 h 33 min · Yields 4 servings

1
Sauté the base
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
2
Cook tomatoes
Stir in tomatoes and tomato paste. Cook for 5-7 minutes until tomatoes soften.
3
Add eggplant and spices
Add eggplants and spice mixture to the saucepan, stirring to ensure even cover.