Eggplants with Skordalia and Spicy Tomato Sauce

To prepare a delicious recipe with eggplants and skordalia, start by washing the eggplants under a stream of cold water, making sure to remove any impurities. After cleaning them, cut the eggplants into thick slices about one finger wide. This step is essential to achieve a pleasant texture in the dish. Sprinkle salt on each slice and stack them on top of each other, forming a small pyramid. Use a wooden board to press them down and apply weight on top, allowing the eggplants to drain their bitter juice. Leave them like this for about 30 minutes.

Once drained, rinse the eggplants under cold water to remove excess salt, then pat them dry with a towel to absorb moisture. Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the eggplant slices on both sides until they become golden and crispy. After frying, place the eggplants on a plate lined with paper towels to remove excess oil, being careful not to overlap them to maintain their crispy texture.

Meanwhile, prepare the skordalia. Peel the potatoes, cut them into cubes, and boil them in a pot with water and a little salt for about 30 minutes, starting the timer when the water begins to boil. Once the potatoes are ready, drain them well and mash them using a potato masher, ensuring there are no lumps. Add 5-6 tablespoons of olive oil, ground nuts, and crushed garlic. Mix the composition until you achieve a creamy and smooth paste. Adjust with salt and pepper to taste to enhance the flavors.

On each fried eggplant slice, place a generous portion of skordalia, letting your inspiration guide you to create an even layer. To complete this delicious dish, prepare a tomato sauce. Cut the blanched and peeled tomatoes into cubes. In a pan, heat a little oil and sauté the tomatoes, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens. Towards the end, add finely chopped fresh parsley and drizzle with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice, adjusting the taste with salt. This aromatic composition is added in an even layer over the skordalia, giving the dish a note of freshness. Enjoy this savory dish, perfect for serving as an appetizer or main course!