Skip to main content

Roasted Eggplant Sabich Sandwiches

5.0

(1)

Image may contain Food and Bread
Photo by Alex Lau, styling by Sean Dooley

Sabich, a popular Israeli street food, is a pita-busting combination of a bunch of great appetizers. To serve these to a group, you can set out the assorted fillings on individual plates and platters and let guests build their own.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes 6

Ingredients

2 tablespoons za’atar
3 garlic cloves, finely grated, divided
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 large or 2 medium Italian eggplants (about 20 ounces), cut into ¾-inch-thick rounds
Kosher salt
½ cup parsley leaves with tender stems
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped chives, divided
½ cup tahini
2 Persian cucumbers, quartered, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ cup chopped mint
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup prepared hummus
3 tablespoons (or more) harissa
½ teaspoon ground cumin
Toasted pita, thinly shredded cabbage, quartered hard- or soft-boiled eggs, and Israeli pickles (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place a rack in center of oven; preheat to 450°. Whisk za’atar, 2 garlic cloves, and ½ cup oil in a small bowl. Spoon over both sides of eggplant rounds (about 1 tsp. per side) and rub into flesh. It will absorb, so use all of the za’atar oil! Generously season with salt. Roast eggplant on a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet until tender and beginning to brown in spots, 35–45 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, pulse parsley and ½ cup chives in a food processor until finely chopped. Add tahini and pulse until smooth. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in ½ cup water and continue to pulse until sauce is the consistency of a thin yogurt; season with salt.

    Step 3

    Toss cucumbers, tomatoes, mint, lemon juice, and remaining garlic clove, 2 Tbsp. oil, and 2 Tbsp. chives in a medium bowl; season Israeli salad with salt.

    Step 4

    Mix hummus, harissa, and cumin in a small bowl (if you like it spicy, add more harissa).

    Step 5

    Generously spread tahini sauce and hummus mixture inside pita. Place a few rounds of eggplant (or one if using a large eggplant) inside. Stuff pita with Israeli salad, cabbage, eggs, and pickles.

Read More
This chicken salad nails it—creamy, herby, and endlessly riffable.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Filberts, goobers, scaly bark nuts: Explore the world beyond almonds in this guide.
Like crispy gnocchi caprese and raspberry—brown butter skillet cake.
The secret to flavorful, never-greasy eggplant parm? Brine the eggplant first.
Like hot honey chicken with peaches and a dirty martini spritz.
Just as great with coffee for breakfast as it is with amaro for dessert.
Our go-to banana bread recipe is moist, nutty, and incredibly easy to make.