Israeli pita stuffed with fried eggplant and egg
Sabich
Prep Time
20 min
Cook Time
25 min
Total Time
45 min
Servings
4
4 sandwiches
Difficulty
Medium
Cost
Budget
$
Recipe at a Glance
A loaded Israeli sandwich of fried eggplant, hard-boiled egg, hummus, and amba (mango pickle sauce) stuffed in fluffy pita. Sabich rivals falafel as Israel's best street food.
Cuisine: Various
Category: Main Course
Difficulty: Medium
Cost: $
Dietary: Vegetarian
Sarah Chen
(Updated )
Sabich originated with Iraqi-Jewish immigrants in Israel and has become a beloved street food. The combination of creamy eggplant, rich egg, tangy amba, and fresh salad is irresistible.
Ingredients
- 2 large eggplants, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
- 4 pita breads
- 1/2 cup hummus
- 2 tbsp amba (mango pickle sauce)
- Israeli salad (diced cucumber, tomato, onion) for serving
Instructions
- 1
Salt eggplant slices and rest 15 minutes. Pat dry thoroughly.
- 2
Fry eggplant in 1/4 inch of oil over medium-high heat until golden on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- 3
Hard-boil eggs: cover with cold water, bring to a boil, cover, remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes. Peel and slice.
- 4
Warm pita and spread hummus inside. Layer with fried eggplant, sliced egg, Israeli salad, and tahini.
- 5
Drizzle with amba sauce and serve immediately.
Substitutions
AmbaMango chutney + hot sauce
Approximates the tangy-spicy flavor
Fried eggplantRoasted eggplant
Lighter but less traditional texture
Tips & Storage
Pro Tips
Salting the eggplant draws out moisture for better frying and less oil absorption.
Amba can be found at Middle Eastern markets or made from pickled mango.
Storage
Assemble fresh. Components can be prepped 1 day ahead.
Reheating
Re-fry eggplant briefly in a hot pan to re-crisp.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving (185mg) · 4 servings
Calories380
Protein14g
Carbohydrates18g
Fat42g
Fiber520mg
Sugar8g
Sodium6g
Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and preparation methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is amba?
- A tangy, spicy Iraqi condiment made from pickled mangoes, fenugreek, and spices.
- Can I skip the amba?
- You can, but it's a defining flavor. Try mango chutney mixed with hot sauce as a substitute.
About Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is a professional recipe developer and food editor with over a decade of experience in test kitchens and food media. She trained at the Culinary Institute of America before spending six years developing and testing recipes for national food publications, where she honed her ability to translate restaurant techniques into approachable home cooking. At RecipePool, Sarah leads recipe development, ensuring every dish is tested at least three times for clarity, accuracy, and genuine deliciousness. When she is not in the kitchen, she is browsing farmers markets and collecting vintage cookbooks.
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