Ingredients

8 small eggplants
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vinegar
wild marjoram , to taste
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 whole garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon sweet red pepper
Berenjenas de Almagro is a traditional recipe from the town of Almagro in the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain. The dish is made with small eggplants that are stuffed with a garlicky seasoning, then cooked in a vinegar and olive oil sauce flavored with wild marjoram and bay leaf. Berenjenas de Almagro is served cold or at room temperature, and is often eaten as an appetizer or side dish. This tasty and healthy dish is perfect for summer, when eggplants are in season and you want a light and refreshing snack. It's also a great way to add some Mediterranean flavors to your diet, and can be served with crusty bread or a glass of white wine.

Instructions

1.Rinse and dry the eggplants, then cut off the stems and make a lengthwise incision in each one without cutting through the skin.
2.Sprinkle the salt over the eggplants and let them sit for 30 minutes, then rinse off the salt and pat them dry.
3.Warm the vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a medium-sized saucepan, along with the wild marjoram, bay leaf, and olive oil.
4.Add the eggplants to the saucepan and cook on low heat for 20 minutes, or until the eggplants are tender.
5.Remove the eggplants from the saucepan and let them cool to room temperature.
6.Peel the garlic cloves and mash them together with the fresh ground pepper and sweet red pepper.
7.Stuff the garlic mixture into the incisions in the eggplants.
8.Serve the Berenjenas de Almagro cold or at room temperature, as an appetizer or side dish.

PROS

Berenjenas de Almagro is a healthy and flavorful dish that is perfect for a Mediterranean-style diet.
Eggplants are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and the garlic and olive oil used in this recipe are both known for their health benefits.

This dish is also vegetarian and vegan-friendly!

CONS

Eggplants can sometimes have a slightly bitter taste, so make sure to salt them well and let them sit before cooking to reduce the bitterness.

Some people may not like the strong flavor of the wild marjoram.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Eggplants are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals like potassium, folate, and magnesium. They are also low in calories and fat, making them great for weight loss and weight management.
Garlic is known for its immune-boosting properties and can help support heart health by reducing cholesterol levels. Olive oil is a healthy fat that can also help prevent heart disease and lower inflammation in the body.
Moreover, wild marjoram has been shown to have antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, and may even have anti-cancer effects.

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