Ingredients

3 Chinese or Japanese eggplants (slender variety)

1 sweet pepper, stemmed and seeded

3 T. extra virgin olive oil, divided

1/2 cup finely diced Roma tomatoes

3 Tbs. onion, minced

1-1/2 tsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

1 tsp. fresh lemon juice

1 tsp. red-wine vinegar

1/2 tsp. chopped fresh oregano or marjoram

1/2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

1/2 tsp. chopped fresh basil

1 mint leaf, chopped

1 t. sea salt

1/2 t. ground pepper

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wash and cut stems off eggplants. Rub eggplants and pepper with 2 T. olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 25-30 minutes.

Peel away the charred skin from the eggplant, coarsely chop the flesh and transfer it to a medium bowl. Add the remaining 1 T. of olive oil and the tomato, onion, parsley, lemon juice, vinegar, oregano or marjoram, thyme, mint, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Season to taste with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve cool or at room temperature with fresh pita wedges or toasted pita chips.