Healthy Mezze
← Back to Recipes
Stuffed baby eggplants filled with walnuts, garlic, parsley, and pomegranate molasses, garnished with parsley and walnuts.
🥗 MezzeMedium30 mins min👥 6 Servings

Makdous (Stuffed Baby Eggplants)

Tender baby eggplants stuffed with walnuts, garlic, parsley, and pomegranate molasses for a healthy Lebanese mezze packed with Mediterranean flavor.

Prep Time

30 mins min

🔥

Cook Time

20 mins min

Total Time

50 min

🍽

Servings

6

Ingredients

  • 12 baby eggplants
  • 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 0.25 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 0.5 tsp Aleppo pepper or mild chili flakes
  • 0.5 tsp sea salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 1 Extra parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. 1

    Trim the stems of the baby eggplants, leaving the tops intact.

  2. 2

    Boil the eggplants for 15–20 minutes until just tender.

  3. 3

    Drain well and allow them to cool completely.

  4. 4

    Make a lengthwise slit in each eggplant without cutting all the way through.

  5. 5

    Combine the walnuts, garlic, parsley, cumin, Aleppo pepper, salt, black pepper, olive oil, and pomegranate molasses.

  6. 6

    Stuff each eggplant generously with the walnut mixture.

  7. 7

    Arrange on a serving platter.

  8. 8

    Drizzle lightly with a little extra virgin olive oil if desired.

  9. 9

    Chill for at least one hour before serving.

  10. 10

    Garnish with chopped parsley and additional walnuts.

You May Also Like

More delicious recipes from the Mezze category.

Traditional Lebanese stuffed grape leaves served with lemon wedges and fresh parsley.
MezzeMedium

Warak Enab (Stuffed Grape Leaves)

Tender grape leaves stuffed with seasoned rice, fresh herbs, tomatoes, onions, and aromatic spices, gently simmered in a bright lemon broth. A classic Lebanese mezze enjoyed warm or cold.

45 mins
6
Golden baked Lebanese spinach fatayer arranged on a serving platter with fresh parsley and lemon wedges.
MezzeMedium

Spinach Fatayer

Traditional Lebanese baked pastries filled with spinach, onions, herbs, lemon juice, and tangy sumac. A healthy mezze that's perfect as an appetizer, snack, or light meal.

35 mins
12
Freshly baked Lebanese cheese fatayer arranged on a serving board with parsley and black nigella seeds.
MezzeMedium

Cheese Fatayer

Soft whole wheat pastries filled with a delicious blend of Akkawi cheese, reduced-fat mozzarella, fresh parsley, and nigella seeds. A healthier version of a classic Lebanese bakery favorite.

35 mins
12