Travel-inspired recipes are a significant part of our cooking style. This eggplant involtini with mojo sauce recipe is brought to you from a city near and dear to my heart: Madrid, Spain! (I studied abroad in Madrid in college and recently traveled to Spain.) It’s the creation of guest author Katie Schmidt of Whole Nourishment, an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach previously living in Madrid. While she was there, I caught up with Katie to ask her about life in Madrid and a healthy Spanish recipe. Katie created this eggplant involtini with Spanish mojo sauce. And I must say, the mojo sauce is incredibly addicting! We used our leftover sauce for dipping bread, and it would be great drizzled over a nourish bowl. Keep reading for the recipe.
Life in Madrid: a Q&A
I asked Katie Schmidt of Whole Nourishment a few things about life in Madrid, including some of her favorite Spanish dishes and how healthy eating melds with the native food culture. (And, the eggplant involtini and Spanish mojo sauce recipes are at the bottom of the post.)
You recently moved to Madrid. Spain has such a vibrant food culture. What’s it like living there, and what dishes have you found that you love?
Madrid is an accessible, vibrant, and energetic city. We feel at home here. As for Spanish dishes, I enjoy cafes that offer modern, whole takes on Spanish classics. A simple one is Pan con Tomate, a tapa of grilled bread with freshly grated tomato spooned on top. I once had breakfast variation adding scrambled eggs, avocado and onion on top. Simple and delicious!
What kind of interest do you see in healthy eating in Spain? How do you find that melds with the native food culture?
There’s a growing niche of interest and health food stores, but awareness is low. Spain is five years behind the organic and healthy-eating curve. Slowly, the large grocery stores are adding organic produce sections, but some things like organic leafy greens are not always available. In working with Spanish clients, I’ve had a glimpse into typical home kitchens, which I’ve discovered are naturally quite balanced. In other words, the fried croquetas and Jamón Ibérico are not always reflective of everyday food customs at home. As Spanish food culture is rooted in the Mediterranean diet, I’ve noticed that conscious home cooks rely heavily on extra-virgin olive oil, fish and seafood, legumes, and fresh, local vegetables and fruit. This is a good base to help make upgrades in the kitchen.
Outside of this delicious mojo sauce, anything else you want to share with us, food-related or otherwise?
I’ve learned adaptability is key to avoiding a rigid, rules-based mindset. Until leaving the U.S. I took for granted the ease of one-stop food shopping. In Madrid I frequent various stores to find everything. Availability also varies. Whether I’m looking for organic kale or frozen berries, affordable almond butter, or wild salmon, living in Spain has taught me to be more adaptable with the foods that are available. For example, I use cabbage in place of kale in soups and salads. I’ve also learned eating well is a mindset. It’s not only about adding in the good foods and lifestyle habits, but also adopting an attitude of flexibility, satisfaction, and variety when making these choices. We achieve this attitude by simply challenging our own thinking. Are we choosing that daily green smoothie and kale salad because we want it or because we fear losing “balance”? As a health coach, I guide women as they establish small daily habits to feel good in and about their bodies. Once I found the crossroads between nourishment and satisfaction in my own life, it made a tremendous difference in how I felt. And I want others to experience the same.
How to make eggplant involtini and mojo sauce
Last year, Katie traveled to the Canary Islands (Fuerteventura). Nearly all dishes, including fish, potatoes, or vegetables, came with a red- or green-colored sauce called mojo sauce. It’s an olive-oil based sauce made with either paprika or cilantro. The red mojo from the Canaries inspired the mojo sauce for this eggplant involtini. Some variations include vinegar, cumin, and bread crumbs or blanched almonds to thicken. For this mojo sauce, simply throw almonds into a blender with garlic, jarred roasted bell peppers, and cumin. What results is a bright orange sauce that is seriously addictive. Other ways to use it: quinoa or rice, add a dollop to lentils and bowl meals, and serve it as a dip for raw vegetables. But here it’s rolled it up with thin slices of grilled eggplant to make eggplant involtini. This makes a perfect summer side dish or appetizer! Profile shot by Anna Primavera; food photos by A Couple Cooks
Looking for eggplant recipes?
This eggplant involtini with mojo sauce is one of our favorite eggplant recipes to date. If you’re looking for other ways to use eggplant, here are a few we love:
Baked Eggplant ParmesanSkillet Eggplant MarinaraRoasted Eggplant SaladGrilled Eggplant with Herbed QuinoaGrilled Eggplant Parmesan
This eggplant involtini recipe is…
Vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, plant-based, and dairy-free, omit the feta crumbles. No reviews
¼ cup blanched almonds (we used slivered blanched) 1 medium garlic clove 185 gram (170 net weight) jar roasted Piquillo peppers (about 8 drained Piquillo peppers)* ¼ teaspoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons Sherry vinegar ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup water Scant ½ teaspoon kosher salt
For the eggplant involtini
2 medium eggplants Coconut oil Kosher salt Pepper Toasted almonds, for the garnish Feta crumbles, for the garnish Chopped cilantro, for the garnish
