Product Review: Trader Joe's Roasted Pepper Spread With Eggplant And Garlic

Trader Joe's is no stranger to creating delectable products that give big brand names a run for their money, and this is especially true in the spreads/sauces/dips department — see: Cookie Butter, Corn Penne Salsa, Edamame Hummus, Corn and Chile Tomato-less Salsa... the list is never-ending.

But perhaps one of their most amazing spreads, the Roasted Pepper Spread with Eggplant and Garlic, has so far flown fairly under-the-radar. With its bright red color and equally vibrant flavor, featuring a refreshingly spicy kick rounded out by flavorful eggplant and the perfect hint of garlic, this spread definitely deserves some recognition.

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What makes it so great is its versatility. We tried it as a standard cracker-topper (on Trader Joe's Multigrain Crackers) and loved the zesty-yet-light taste it added to an otherwise basic snack. It worked wonderfully as a salmon burger topping, as well, and was an especially good addition to a bowl of plain, steamed spinach. We didn't try it as a salsa stand-in, but we're sure it'd be a great fit, too.

In fact, we can imagine this spread brightening up just about any savory snack or dish you can think of. Without being overpowering, the spread adds the ideal extra oomph to otherwise bland tastes, and is so good it can even stand alone as an ingredient. If that's not the ideal spread, what is?