Stuffed Eggplant, Basilicata Style

Recipe by: Julia della Croce | from Italy: The Vegetarian Table

Cookstr

Course: Antipasto/Mezze, Appetizer

Total Time: Under 2 Hours

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Moderate

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

Here is one of the many ways eggplants are stuffed in the Campania and Basilicata regions. The method is probably one of the simplest for stuffing vegetables because the eggplant pulp is not removed. Instead, the flesh is scored and a savory bread crumb mixture is worked into the slashes; the remaining crumb mixture is then spread on top before baking. The eggplants should be small, tender ones. Either small globular Italian eggplants or the comparatively seedless slender Japanese eggplants can be used.

Yield: For 4 people

INGREDIENTS

2 small eggplants (about ½ pound each)
Salt for sprinkling on top
1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fine dried bread crumbs
1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano, or ½ teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus additional olive oil for drizzling on eggplants
1½ tablespoons finely chopped, pitted imported green olives

Directions

Leave the skins on the eggplants, but trim off and discard the stems and navels. Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise. Make slashes about 1 inch deep in their flesh on the cut sides and sprinkle them with salt. Place the halves cut sides down in a colander. Place the colander in the sink or over a dish and let stand so the bitter liquid drains out of the seeds, about 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat an oven to 375 degrees F. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Rinse the eggplant under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel. In a small bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, oregano, parsley, the 1 tablespoon olive oil, and olives. Using your fingers, work as much of the mixture as you can into the slashes in the eggplant halves. Spread any remaining mixture on top of the eggplants. Place the eggplant halves cut sides up on the foil-lined sheet and drizzle generously with olive oil.

Bake on the middle rack of the oven until completely tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 20 minutes. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Nutritional information is based on 1/8 teaspoon added salt per serving, and includes 1 tablespoon of olive oil drizzled on the eggplant.

Calories 107kcal (5%)

Calcium 25mg (2%)

Vitamin C 4mg (7%)

Vitamin A 6mcg RAE (0%)

Potassium 277mg

Magnesium 19mg

Protein 2g

Sugar 3g

Fiber 4g