Roasted Eggplant with Cashew Butter

• servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 cup distilled white vinegar

¼ cup sugar

1 Tbsp. kosher salt

3 mini bell peppers, seeds and ribs removed, thinly sliced crosswise

3 mixed chiles (such as serrano, Fresno, and/or jalapeño), thinly sliced crosswise

1 medium shallot, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, smashed

1 cup cashews

⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil

⅓ cup vegetable oil

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. kosher salt

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1 tsp. fish sauce

3–6 Tbsp. vegetable oil

2 lb. eggplants, preferably fairy tale, cut into 1½"-thick wedges, halved if small

Kosher salt

1 medium shallot, finely chopped

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

¼ cup basil leaves

¼ cup cilantro leaves with tender stems

1 Tbsp. thinly sliced chives

Directions

Bring vinegar, sugar, and salt to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking to dissolve sugar and salt.

Combine bell peppers and chiles in a medium heatproof bowl or container. Pour hot pickling liquid over and let cool.

Do Ahead: Pickles can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill.

Cook shallot, garlic, cashews, olive oil, and vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring often, until cashews are golden brown and shallots are deep golden brown, 8–10 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl; save oil for another use. Transfer cashew mixture to a medium bowl. Add sugar and salt and toss to combine. Let cool.

Blend cashew mixture, lime juice, fish sauce, and ½ cup water in a blender until very smooth and pourable (it should be about the thickness of tahini).

Preheat oven to 450°. Heat a dry large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Pour 3 Tbsp. oil into pan and swirl to coat. As soon as it begins to smoke, carefully add eggplants, cut side down, puzzling together to fit into a single layer. (Work in 2 batches if needed, adding another 3 Tbsp. oil to skillet between batches.) Cook, undisturbed, until cut sides are golden brown, 4–5 minutes. Note: When it comes to eggplants, we generally find the smaller the fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!), the better the flavor and texture. And of all the miniature varieties cropping up at the farmers’ market right now, we’re especially digging fairy tale eggplants. They’re palm-size and streaked with purple and white. Unlike large globe eggplants, which can sport tough skins and mealy, seedy insides when cooked, fairy tales are ideal for roasting or confiting whole until tender and creamy.

Transfer skillet to oven (if working in 2 batches, return first batch of eggplants to skillet). Roast until eggplants are tender, about 4 minutes; season with salt. Add shallot and lime juice and toss well.

Spread ½ cup cashew butter on a platter. Arrange eggplants on top. Scatter basil, cilantro, chives, and 1 Tbsp. drained pickled peppers over.