Salata de Vinete

Otherwise known as Eggplant salad...this is my favorite food (that I actually make regularly) in Romania!! Everytime I explain it to my friends or family I hear sounds of disgust because we Americans don't generally eat much eggplant. When I get home you are all in for a surprise!! I thought it would be cool to show you a little of the preparation I do to make salata de vinete.

It's very simple. Buy a fresh, ripe eggplant (refer to the Food Network or cookbooks for that info!)
1.) Roast the eggplant on the stove (see picture #1) until cooked all the way through.
2.) Peel the skin off and remove the insides of the eggplant. Tranfer the insides to a strainer. This is important because it will remove the bitter tasting liquid.
3.) Once drained use an electric mixer or wooden/plastic knife to finely chop/mix the eggplant. Don't use metal knives because they will chop the seeds which will result in a bitter tasting salata.
4.) Mix the eggplant with olive/vegetable/sunflower oil (whichever you prefer), onions, and garlic (if desired).
5.)After all that is done you are free to eat your fresh salata de vinete. I prefer it spread over fresh bread!