Bocadillo de Calamares Vegetal

Bocadillo de Calamares Vegetal is a delightful Spanish sandwich that features crispy, battered and fried eggplant slices resembling calamari, served in a fresh baguette with a zesty garlic aioli. This vegetarian twist on a classic dish is perfect for a satisfying lunch, combining textures and flavors that will transport your taste buds to Spain.

Bocadillo de Calamares Vegetal
30 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Spanish
450 kcal

Ingredients

  • Eggplant - 1 medium
  • All-purpose flour - 100 grams
  • Cornstarch - 50 grams
  • Paprika - 1 teaspoon
  • Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
  • Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
  • Sparkling water - 150 ml
  • Breadcrumbs - 100 grams
  • Vegetable oil - for frying
  • Baguette - 2 pieces
  • Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
  • Mayonnaise - 100 grams
  • Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon
  • Fresh parsley - for garnish

Steps

  1. Slice the eggplant into 1 cm thick rounds and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit for 15 minutes to draw out moisture, then rinse and pat dry.
  2. In a bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Gradually whisk in the sparkling water until you have a smooth batter.
  3. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat. While the oil heats, dip the eggplant slices into the batter, then coat with breadcrumbs.
  4. Fry the breaded eggplant slices in the hot oil for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden and crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels.
  5. In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, mayonnaise, and lemon juice to make the garlic aioli.
  6. Slice the baguettes open and spread a generous amount of garlic aioli on each side. Place the fried eggplant slices inside the baguette.
  7. Garnish with fresh parsley, close the sandwich, and serve immediately.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 450
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Carbs: 50 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
  • Water: 0.25 L

Health Benefits

  • Eggplant is rich in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and promote heart health.
  • The use of garlic in aioli may boost the immune system and improve cardiovascular health.

Tags

SpanishVegetarianLunch