Roasted Eggplant Flatbreads with Quick Pickles

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). While it heats, lightly sprinkle a large baking sheet with cornmeal to prevent sticking. This will be our base for baking the flatbreads.

Take your pizza dough and divide it into four equal portions. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion into a 7- to 8-inch circle or a 10x5-inch oval. Carefully transfer the shaped flatbreads to your prepared baking sheet.

Bake the flatbreads in the preheated oven for 10 to 13 minutes, or until they're lightly browned and set. They might puff up a bit, which is perfectly normal. Once done, remove them from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). For the quick pickles, grab a small bowl and combine the matchstick-cut cucumber, carrot, radishes, white wine vinegar, sugar, and salt. Give it a good stir, then cover and pop it in the fridge until you're ready to assemble everything.

While the pickles chill, line a large baking sheet with foil. Take your eggplant, prick it all over with a fork, and place it on the foil-lined sheet. Roast it in the hot oven for about 30 minutes, or until it's completely soft and the skin looks charred. Let it cool just enough to handle safely.

Once the eggplant is cool, cut it in half and scoop out all the soft flesh, discarding the charred skin. Place the eggplant flesh in a food processor. Add the tahini, lemon zest, lemon juice, half of the chopped parsley (save the rest for garnish), and the minced garlic. Pulse until the mixture is nearly smooth and creamy.

In a small bowl, coarsely mash the rinsed chickpeas with a fork—leave some texture for interest. Stir the mashed chickpeas into the eggplant mixture until well combined. Taste and season with additional salt if needed.

To assemble, spread the creamy eggplant mixture generously over each cooled flatbread. Top with the quick-pickled vegetables, then sprinkle with a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes and the remaining fresh parsley. Serve immediately and enjoy!