Eggplant Gyros

featured-image

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds eggplant

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 large cloves garlic, grated

  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1 teaspoon piment d'Espelette or Aleppo pepper

  • 1 cup shredded cucumber

  • ½ cup whole-milk plain Greek yogurt

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

  • 1 clove garlic, grated

  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 4 whole-wheat pita breads, warmed

  • 1 large tomato, chopped

  • 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce

  • ¼ cup slivered red onion

Directions

  1. To prepare eggplant: Trim ends off eggplant and cut lengthwise into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Place in a colander and toss with 1 teaspoon salt. Let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. Transfer the eggplant to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

  2. Meanwhile, whisk oil, 2 tablespoons dill, lemon juice, garlic, coriander, cumin, oregano and piment d'Espelette (or Aleppo) in a small bowl. Rub the marinade on the eggplant. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours and up to 1 day.

  3. To prepare tzatziki: Place cucumber on a clean kitchen towel, gather it up and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. Place the cucumber in a small bowl and mix in yogurt, dill, garlic, salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to use.

  4. To grill & serve: Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill the eggplant, turning once, until lightly charred, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Serve in pitas with tomato, lettuce, onion and some of the tzatziki.