Sweet, spicy and salty with the incomparable rich flavor of fermented fish sauce, this eggplant dish can be served as a side to meat, poultry or seafood, or as a main dish for non-meat eaters.
The English-speaking world knows it as eggplant caviar. A misnomer, no doubt, considering that there is no salt-cured fish roe in this dish. But this dip of smoky, slightly charred mashed sweet eggplants mixed with spices, herbs, olive oil and lemon juice is delightful.