Mīrzā Ghāsemī [Smoked Eggplant Dip | vegan option]

Smoked Eggplant Dip from Gilan | vegan option

Origin: Regional Specialty (Shomāl)

This celebrated appetizer is firmly anchored to Gilan province along the Caspian Sea coast. Historical accounts trace the dish back to the Qajar era, introduced by Mirza Ghasem Khan, a regional governor who had spent time in Russia. The foundation of the dip relies on the deep, smoky flavor achieved by charring whole eggplants over an open flame. This smoky, tender eggplant is then mashed and simmered with fresh tomatoes, abundant garlic, and turmeric, before softly scrambling eggs into the mix. It perfectly captures the garlic-heavy, robust flavors of northern Iranian cooking.

Serves: 4-6 as a dip
Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes