Baba ghanoush

Baba ghanoush
Alternative namesBaba ganoush, baba ghanouj
CourseAppetizer
Place of originLevant
Associated cuisineIraq, Armenia, Syria, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Palestine, Greece, Egypt, Tunisia, and Turkey
Main ingredientsEggplant, olive oil
Mutabbal
Mutabbal and pita bread
Alternative namesMoutabbal, m'tabbal
CourseAppetizer
Place of originLevant
Main ingredientsEggplant, olive oil

Baba ghanoush (/ˌbɑːbə ɡəˈnʃ/ BAH-bə gə-NOOSH, UK also /- ɡæˈnʃ/ - gan-OOSH, US also /- ɡəˈnʒ/ - gə-NOOZH; Arabic: بابا غنوج, romanized: bābā ġannūj listen), also spelled baba ganoush or baba ghanouj, is a Levantine appetizer consisting of finely chopped roasted eggplant, olive oil, lemon juice, various seasonings, and tahini. The eggplant is traditionally roasted, baked or broiled over an open flame before peeling so that the pulp is soft and has a smoky taste. It is a typical meze (starter) of the regional cuisine, often served as a side to a main meal and as a dip for pita bread.

A very similar dish is mutabbal (Arabic: متبل, lit.'spiced'), which is sometimes said to be a spicier version of baba ghanoush.