We used to live a few minutes away from the most amazing Middle Eastern fast food restaurant. The food was cheap, delicious, and plentiful, which worked well for us since we were on a tight budget. And whenever we went there, we'd always order what we called The Trifecta: Hummus, Baba Ghannouj, and Mama Ghannouj. With enough pita bread, you could make a meal out of those alone, and we often did. Because, you know, the whole tight budget thing.
After we moved away, that restaurant was one of the things we missed most. And even now, 7 years later, we still talk about it once in a while. Because no one else sells mama ghannouj! I'm sure it exists outside of that restaurant, but I haven't seen it. Which is a sad thing, because it's delicious.
Mama ghannouj is baba ghannouj made with zucchini. That was pretty much all I had to go on when working on this recipe. (Well, that, and a very hazy memory of what it tasted like.) So I used the same ingredients in baba ghannouj for this recipe, minus the eggplant. I tried oven-roasting the zucchini, but you really need to grill it--the smoky flavor of slightly charred squash is an important component of this dish. To cut back on calories, I used a little less olive oil than you'd typically use in baba ghannouj--I think the resulting dip is still creamy and smooth without it, but if you're an olive oil fan, feel free to add as much as you like.
We're coming upon that time of year when everyone has an abundance of zucchini (well, everyone except me--thanks, vine borers!), so this recipe is perfect for when you can't even look at another loaf of zucchini bread. Throw some zucchini on the grill and make some mama ghannouj!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cut the top and the bottom off of each zucchini and allow them to cool. Once cooled, cut them into large chunks.
- Combine zucchini, tahini, lemon juice, garlic cloves, and olive oil in blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Transfer to a bowl and drizzle additional olive oil over the top, if desired. (I also like sprinkling mine with a little smoked paprika. It's not traditional, but it's delicious!) Serve with fresh veggies, pita bread or chips, or crackers.
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
This sounds absolutely amazing! I LOVE Indian food :). I would love to dip about a billion pita chips into this ;).
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
This sounds awesome! Will definitely give it a go!
Suzanne says
I laughed out loud at the recipe title; I've never heard of Mama Ganouj before! It sounds like a family haha 😛
Christine @ Gotta Eat Green says
I've never even heard of mama ghannouj before! I'm not totally sold on baba ghannouj... but I do love zucchini so I see some ghannouj making in my future. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Caitlin says
i've never heard of this! i love baba ghannouj..and i love zucchini..so i'm guessing i would love this!
cassie says
I already know I will love this...so glad to learn something new today. I had no idea that mama ghannouj existed! Your photos are amazing, Kiersten!
Kiersten says
Maybe it doesn't outside of that restaurant?! And my blog, I guess. 🙂
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
i have never heard of mama ganoush but would love to try it. Since I dont have grill i will try broiling it and see what happens
Kiersten says
Broiling works too, it just doesn't have as much of the smoky flavor. Adding some smoked paprika will make up for it. 🙂
Joy // For the Love of Leaves says
Oh man, I bet this is fantastic. I love grilled zucchini! I love baba ghannouj! The two married together... Dangerous.
Kiersten says
It's so not dangerous! It's healthy! 😀
Erin says
So for 1 1/2 lbs of zucchini, would it be 2 medium or small or 1? Just wondering because I have some zucchini but don't know the weight. Thank you!!! 🙂
Kiersten says
It would probably be about 2 large zucchini or maybe 3-4 small ones. With a recipe like this, you can just grill what you have and add the other ingredients to taste. 🙂
Freda Love Smith says
I've never heard of Mama Ghannouj! Ridiculously excited to try this recipe, especially with the hot smoked paprika I recently bought and want to put on everything! Thanks for the inspiration.
Kiersten says
I LOVE smoked paprika. I have a smoked paprika salt that I put on everything too. Sometimes I'll just eat a pinch of it straight, which is so, so wrong, I know.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Love the idea of grilling veggies for a dip! Filled with flavors!!
Alecia says
I'm so happy right now... As much as I really, really WANT to like eggplant, I just can't do it. I've tried Baba G before & literally can't swallow it, but on some level, enjoyed the flavor profile, if that makes any sense. 😛 I've never heard of his skinny, sexy green friend Mama G before & would never have thought to swap the purple thing for zucchini -pure brilliance! I'm making this for lunch today and you just made my day, thank you!
Kiersten says
Oh, that totally makes sense to me--I'm the same way with a lot of foods myself. 🙂 I'll like the flavor, but not the texture, or the texture, but not the flavor.
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
This dip looks like it would be just perfect with my daily snack of pita chips!
Alexis @ Hummusapien says
I never knew there was a mama version! I made a batch with eggplant last week and it was pretty good, but roasting it in the oven still didn't give it that great smoky flavor that it needed. I bet grilling it would be perfect!
Kiersten says
Yeah, it's still good, but it's just missing a little something when you roast it.
houstonalle says
Has anyone tried grilling these on a electric indoor grill? I wonder whether they will get enough smokey flavor. I know I can get the grill marks on it.
Kiersten says
An electric grill would work, although outdoor is better. 🙂
McKel Hill, MS, RD, LDN | Nutrition Stripped says
Girl, we think too much alike. I was just whipping up some baba ghanoush in the kitchen yesterday, but traditional style! I'd love to try this one with zucchini 😉
Natalie @ Once Upon a Cutting Board says
I've never heard of mama ghannouj (obviously, I guess, if it's only available at that one place!), and I had no idea you could make baba ghannouj with anything other than eggplant, but zucchini totally makes sense since it's similar in texture, but I bet it tastes even better!
Kylee says
Wow - that looks fantastic!
Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie says
That sounds delicious! I often get zucchini in my organic veggie box and have used them for lots of different things, but never a dip! I shall have to give this a try
[email protected]'s Recipes says
A brilliant idea! Can I roast the zucchini instead of grilling?
Kiersten says
Grilling gives it the best flavor, but roasting definitely works too. 🙂
Marta @ What Should I eat for breakfast today says
I am still living next to one and I eat there too often, I should strt making my own versions 🙂
Kiersten says
If I lived next to a Middle Eastern restaurant, I don't think I'd ever go home.
Liz says
Do you use a gas grill or a charcoal grill?
Kiersten says
I use a charcoal grill, but gas would work too. 🙂
Carole says
Lovely work, Kiersten! Would you be happy to link it in to the current Food on Friday which is collecting snacks and treats? This is the link . I do hope to see you there. There are already quite a lot of links for you to check out. Cheers
Ala says
Cute, cute, and cuter! There are so many zucchinis sitting in my fridge and I was in a panic before moving-time--but I think you've just solved it. Can't wait to give this a shot soon!
Kiersten says
This is definitely a great way to use a lot of zucchini at once!
Lisa @ Greek Vegetarian says
You'll never believe it but our local Middle Eastern restaurant is called Mama Ganoush! Next time I am there I will see if they have their namesake on the menu!!
Kiersten says
That is so funny! You'll have to tell me if they have it on the menu. I'm wondering if maybe it was just something that this restaurant made up since no one seems to have heard of it...