Sri Lankan aubergine moju (wambatu moju)
Crisp fried aubergine tossed in a sweet, sour and spicy onion pickle, a Sri Lankan party favourite.
- Time40 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.58 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Toss the aubergine with the turmeric and half the salt. Leave for 10 minutes.
10 min - 2
Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan. Fry the aubergine in batches for 6 minutes each, until golden and soft. Drain on kitchen paper.
6 min - 3
In the same pan, heat the last tablespoon of oil. Fry the mustard seeds until they pop.
- 4
Add the onion, chillies, ginger and garlic and cook for 4 minutes.
4 min - 5
Stir in the vinegar, sugar, chilli flakes and the remaining salt with 3 tablespoons of water. Simmer for 3 minutes.
- 6
Fold the aubergine back through, cook for 2 minutes and leave to cool. Serve at room temperature.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.