Eggplant Spread

(recipe from Whole Foods Market)

2 large eggplant
1/2 sliced green onion (I used three scallions)
1 cup peeled diced Roma or other meaty tomato (I used canned diced tomatoes)
3 Tbsp. chopped parsley
3/4 cup olive oil (optional - I did not oil the eggplant before baking)
3 Tbsp. wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

Oil the skins of the eggplant and bake them on a baking sheet at 375F until tender, about 50 minutes.  Cut off the stems and discard the skin.

Chop the eggplant, onion, tomato, and parsley in a food processor or on a cutting board with a large knife.  Pulse or chop until the mixture is fine but not pureed; it should have some texture.  Stir in the vinegar, salt and pepper.  Chill until serving time and serve with crackers or crusty bread.

(I made this for the neighborhood get-together at Penny and Dick's next door, and everyone loved it.  Different than a typical babaganoush-type creamy dip: this one is lively and tangy and fresh due to the tomatoes and vinegar.)