Sabich (Fried Eggplant, Egg and Tahini Pita)
Local name: סביח
In short: Pita stuffed with fried eggplant, sliced boiled eggs, chopped salad, tahini and tangy amba, a classic Israeli street sandwich. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 635 kcal
Sabich is one of Israel's favorite sandwiches, sold at small stands across the country. A warm pita is filled with golden fried eggplant, sliced hard-boiled eggs, chopped salad, tahini and amba, a sour-sweet pickled mango sauce. Every bite should have a bit of everything. It is messy, filling and fully vegetarian, which makes it a popular quick lunch and a good choice for brunch at home.
Instructions
- Lay the eggplant slices on a tray and sprinkle both sides with the salt. Leave for 20 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels.
- Lower the eggs into boiling water and cook for 10 minutes. Cool in cold water, peel and slice.
- Make the tahini sauce: whisk the tahini with the lemon juice (it will stiffen), then whisk in the garlic, salt and water a little at a time until smooth and pourable.
- Toss the tomatoes, cucumbers and parsley with the lemon juice and a pinch of salt.
- Heat a third of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until deep golden and soft, adding oil as needed. Drain on paper towels.
- Warm the pitas and open them. Spread the inside with tahini, then layer in eggplant, egg slices and salad.
- Drizzle with more tahini and the amba, and eat right away, ideally leaning over a plate.
Tips
- For a lighter version, brush the slices with oil and roast at 220°C (425°F) for 25 minutes, turning once, instead of frying.
- No amba? Thinned mango chutney with a squeeze of lemon is a workable stand-in. A few slices of boiled potato are also a common addition.
Questions and answers
What is amba?
A tangy sauce of pickled green mango with fenugreek, turmeric and chili. It is sold in jars at Middle Eastern grocery stores.
Can I make sabich ahead of time?
Prepare the fillings up to a day ahead and store them separately. Assemble the sandwiches just before eating so the pita does not turn soggy.
Is sabich vegan?
Not as written, because of the eggs. Leave them out and add boiled potato slices for a vegan version.
How long does it take to make Sabich (Fried Eggplant, Egg and Tahini Pita)?
About 1 h in total: 30 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sabich (Fried Eggplant, Egg and Tahini Pita)?
About 635 kcal per serving, with 18 g of protein, 64 g of carbohydrates and 34 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 635 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Carbohydrates | 64 g |
| Fat | 34 g |
| Fiber | 10 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
