Last Updated on July 18, 2019 by Ed Joven

How to make Ensaladang Talong (Eggplant Salad)

Ensaladang Talong Recipe - Most often than not, side dishes aren’t given much attention during a party or sometimes, even by the chef/cook themselves. But what many of us aren’t aware of is how a simple side dish that can elevate the flavors of all the other main dishes. A typical Filipino side dish that most people look at as “plain” is Ensaladang Talong.

The concept of this dish mainly roots from the Spanish word “Ensalada,” which means “Salad,” so something like “Salad Eggplant.” The recipe is a mix of three ingredients, that’s why they call it “Ensalada” and “Talong” because it is the main ingredient.

Just because Ensaladang Talong is a side dish, doesn’t mean that it should be set aside and not focused on as much at the dinner table. Believe it or not, this dish packs a punch when it comes to its beneficial nutrients, vitamins, and minerals!

Talong, or eggplant, has a lot of Fiber and Vitamin B6; these two are proven to be effective in improving your heart-health. It also contains Vitamin E which prevents blockage of the arteries. For more information about Eggplants health benefits visit Top 10 Health Benefits of Eggplant.

Tomatoes are useful in improving the overall interior and exterior health of our skin. The lycopene found in it protects our skin and gives an additional glow to it. As for the onion, it has anti-cancer properties that can help you fight off the risk of acquiring it.

Eggplant Salad (Ensaladang Talong) Ingredients and Procedure:

The recipe of Ensaladang Talong is fool proof, even a beginner can try to make this. It’s just a matter of grilling, or even boiling if a grill isn’t available, mixing with the other ingredients, and seasoning.

Ensaldang Talong Recipe

Ed Joven

Ensaldang Talong (Eggplant Salad) takes quite a bit of preparation, but it's well worth the effort. It complements main dishes that are dry like fried pork chops and daing na Bangus. It is also an excellent companion side dish to Pochero.

5 from 3 votes

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Prep Time 6

Cook Time 12

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Filipino

Servings people

Calories 60 kcal

Ingredients

6 - 8 slim Japanese eggplants not the fat aubergines commonly available in American grocery stores
3 - 6 cloves of garlic peeled and crushed
2 tsps of salt
6 - 8 teaspoon of spicy vinegar
1 teaspoon of black pepper
Red Salted Egg for garnish
Green Mango Small sized for garnish

Note: The amount of garlic and vinegar will depend on personal taste and also on how long you intend to store the salad. The longer it is stored the stronger the bite of the spicy vinegar and garlic, so you may lessen these ingredients accordingly.

Instructions

Prepare eggplant
The best way is to grill the washed eggplants over hot coals.
This brings out a deep taste to the eggplant.
The second best way is to bake the eggplants in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for 20 - 25 minutes.
This method produces a drier eggplant which is easier to peel.
When expedience is of essence, or there are no hot coals available, just boil the eggplant in a big pot for 5 minutes.
Let the eggplant cool. Peel the skin off, trying to preserve as much of the flesh as possible.
With a fork, mash the eggplant in a bowl. Stir in the vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper.
Cool for half an hour.
Garnish with sliced Red salted Egg and Green Mango

Video

Notes

Note: Spicy vinegar is, ideally, made from coconut and flavored with small red peppers called siling labuyo, slivers of small white onion called sibuyas ilokano, and peppercorns. You may also substitute regular apple cider vinegar or clear distilled vinegar. Also, in my experience, I've found that people either LOVE this salad or are indifferent to it.

There have been times when I had nothing to eat along with the salad and just ate it with plain hot rice.

Be forewarned, though. The garlic smell will taint your breath for several hours after you ingest the salad. If you fall into the category of salad lover, then the garlic breath will be a small price to pay for this gastronomic delight!