Zaalouk is budget-friendly, plant-based (hello, eco points), surprisingly easy, and tastes like a Mediterranean holiday in your mouth — sans the airfare.
Marrakech – Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about eggplants. Yes, aubergines, the emoji we love to hate but can’t stop using. And no, I’m not here to talk about emojis.
Instead, I’m here to talk about zaalouk. A dish so quintessentially Moroccan, it’s practically served with a side of sunshine and a soulful “ya salaam!”
Zaalouk is Morocco’s way of whispering, “Hey, vegetables can be sexy.”
It’s a smoky, garlicky eggplant dip that Gen Z would probably call “vibe-y” because let’s face it, if you can swipe it onto bread while scrolling TikTok, it’s already iconic.
But hold up — if the thought of cooking eggplant conjures images of long, sweaty hours in the kitchen, breathe easy.
This isn’t your grandmother’s slow-roasting saga. This is the Gen Z version: fast, fun, and perfectly Instagrammable.
Ingredients for your Zaalouk era
- 2 medium eggplants (or aubergines, if you’re feeling fancy)
- 2 ripe tomatoes
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced (channel your inner vampire slayer)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (extra points if it’s organic; clout if it’s Moroccan argan)
- Spices: paprika, cumin, and a pinch of chili flakes for heat
How to slay Zaalouk, Gen Z style
Wash your veggies. Eggplants deserve love too. Stab them (gently!) with a fork a few times, like soft anger management therapy.
No tajine? No stress. Pop the eggplants in the microwave for 8-10 minutes until they look like they’ve had a spa day — soft and deflated.
Blitz your tomatoes in a blender. Think of it as giving them a glow-up.
Heat olive oil in a pan, toss in garlic, and let it flirt with the spices. Add the tomato puree and cook it down until it’s thicker than your best friend’s plot armor in your favorite series.
Scoop out the eggplant’s insides (like a goth Cinderella moment) and mash them into the tomato mix. Stir, simmer, and season to taste.
Plate it up, sprinkle some parsley, and drizzle extra olive oil for drama. Serve it warm with bread, pita, or even tortilla chips if you’re feeling rogue.
Why Zaalouk is the dish for Gen Z
Let’s be real: zaalouk is like that cool friend who’s versatile enough to rock brunch, dinner parties, or solo Netflix marathons.
It’s budget-friendly, plant-based (hello, eco points), and surprisingly easy.
Plus, it tastes like a Mediterranean holiday in your mouth — sans the airfare.
So next time you’re craving something low-effort but high-reward, channel your inner Gen Z chef and whip up some zaalouk.
Who knows? Your kitchen might just go viral.
Tag us when you make it!
