Kyopolou is a Bulgarian spread made with roasted eggplant and peppers, mixed with garlic, tomato, olive oil, and fresh parsley. The vegetables are roasted until their flesh is soft, then peeled and chopped or mashed. Eggplant gives the spread its soft body, while peppers add sweetness and raw garlic adds a sharper finish.
Keep it chunky for a rustic texture or mash it more finely for spreading on bread. Grilling gives the vegetables a smokier flavor; oven roasting is a convenient alternative. Serve Kyopolou with bread, alongside grilled vegetables, or as part of an appetizer selection.
Start with the Vegetable Cooking Guide:
https://letsveg.com/vegetable-cooking-guide
Kyopolou
Kyopolou is a Bulgarian roasted eggplant and pepper spread with tomato, garlic, olive oil, and parsley. Serve chunky or mashed, with bread or vegetables.
Ingredients
Equipment
Roast Pan with Non-Stick Rack
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) or prepare a grill.
- Roast eggplants and peppers until skins are charred and flesh is very soft (30-35 minutes), turning as needed.
- Transfer to a bowl, cover, and let steam 10 minutes. Peel off skins and remove seeds from peppers.
- Finely chop eggplant and peppers (or mash for a smoother texture).
- Stir in garlic, tomato, olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
- Fold in fresh parsley.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve at room temperature.
Nutrition
Notes
• Roast until the eggplant flesh is very soft, not just until the skin darkens. Larger eggplants may take longer than the stated time.
• Check the peppers separately from the eggplants. Remove them when their skins are blistered and their flesh is tender.
• Covered steaming helps loosen the skins. Let the vegetables cool enough to handle before peeling.
• If the peeled vegetables release a lot of liquid, drain the excess before mixing so the spread does not become watery.
• Start with one garlic clove, taste, and add more if desired. Raw garlic becomes a prominent flavor in this spread.
• Chop for a chunky texture or mash more finely for spreading on bread. Both textures work with the listed ingredients.