Who doesn't love soft and creamy texture of eggplants?
Its mild and delicate flavor makes eggplant a perfect veggie (or it's actually a FRUIT!) to pair with all sorts of flavors.
That's why eggplant is the main ingredient of some of the iconic Italian dishes.
Parmigiana {Eggplant Parmesan}
If you ask an Italian to name a dish with eggplants, without a doubt, the first that comes to mind is Parmigiana!
In English-speaking world it's known as Eggplant Parmesan.
No summer picnic, big holiday, family gathering goes without a big casserole of Parmigiana Di Melanzane.
Layers of fried eggplant, cheese and rich tomato sauce is the reason why everyone's going crazy for this simple and delicious meal.
Parmigiana also freezes well. So you can easily make it in advance and abke on demand!
Parmigiana {Eggplant Parmesan} RECIPE
Caponata {Sicilian Eggplant Salad}
Another Italian classic that is never missing on a Holiday table - La Caponata!
There are different versions of Caponata cooked in Palermo and Caponata from Catania.
If you're curious you'll know all the details in the recipe post linked below.
Catania or Palermo version you choose but what remains true and unforgettable is bright summer flavors or eggplants, celery, olives and capers soaked in sweet & sour tomato sauce.
Caponata {Sicilian Eggplant Salad} RECIPE
Pasta Alla Norma
Picture summer, Sicilian neighborhood, view of Etna, smell of the sea breeze and fried eggplants 🍆🍆🍆
And if it's not Parmigiana that's for sure Pasta Alla Norma that is on the menu tonight!
Imagine pasta cooked ‘al dente’ and coated with rich tomato sauce, topped with freshly fried sweet eggplants and ricotta salata (salted ricotta cheese).
Is there anything more delicious than that?
By the way, do you know what this Sicilian Pasta Alla Norma and famous Italian opera composer Bellini have in common?
Read a short STORY and get this summer-perfect pasta recipe.
Oven Roasted Eggplant Alla Sarda
Oven Roasted Eggplants Sardinian style is one of signature dishes of my mother-in-law.
The original Italian name of these eggplants is Melanzane alla Sassarese. Sassari is a town in Northern Sardinia, and it’s just minuted away from where my mother-in-law was born.
But for simplicity, we’ll call them Eggplants Sardinian Style or Eggplants alla Sarda.
Meaty eggplants roasted in the oven in simple herb and tomato sauce make an unbeatable side dish to practically ANY main course. Or you can even have them as a light veggie dinner or lunch.
Oven Roasted Eggplants Alla Sarda RECIPE
Skinny Vegetable Lasagna
Think lasagna is only about pasta? Not at all 😉
Nothing fried, no heavy melted cheeses or unnecessary breadcrumbs.
Instead, super light, oven baked slices of eggplants and zucchini, layered with slightly tangy Parmesan cheese.
Add tomato and basil pesto sauce to balance all the flavors and to give your lasagna perfect juiciness from top to bottom.
Skinny Vegetable Lasagna RECIPE
Eggplant Steaks
Ready in less than 30 minutes, these eggplant steaks are finger licking good!
Creamy, “meaty” with a light crisp on the outside they’re a total hit.
If you don’t know what they’re made of, you will NEVER guess it’s just an eggplant!
Eggplant Pizzette [VIDEO RECIPE]
These guys don't need much of convincing.
It’s like having a pizza, but low fat, low cal, and naturally gluten free 😋
Eggplant Pizzette - VIDEO RECIPE
Which of the recipes have you tried before?
Which one are you going to make next? 🙂
Let me know if the comments below, I'd love to know!
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