Italian Eggplant Balls Use Just Like Meatballs Fry Or Bake Food

ITALIAN EGGPLANT MEATBALLS / POLPETTE

Steps:

• Pre-heat the oven to 400F (200C). If Baking then lightly drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil on a small non-stick cookie sheet.

EGGPLANT PARMESAN BALLS BAKED OR FRIED

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a baking sheet lightly.
• 2. Heat olive oil in pan and sauté garlic till fragrant, about 1 or 2 minutes. Add eggplant cubes and water. Cover pot and let simmer on low, stirring occasionally so it doesnt stick. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until eggplant cubes are completely softened. I keep mushing them as I check them. If by chance it seems very liquid, drain the liquid out.
• 3. After eggplant is soft, put to the side and let it cool off until it is room temperature.
• 4. When cool, add the 2 eggs and mix well. Add the parmesan cheese.... and please, use fresh shaved into big shavings. It makes a big difference! Add the bread crumbs and salt and pepper and mix everything very well.
• 5. Put mixture in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. This will make forming the balls or patties easier.
• 6. Form into balls or patties. Place on the greased sheet, and bake for 30 minutes turning them after 20 minutes. You could also fry them in oil for a crisper texture.
• 7. Endless possibilities with these! Would make a perfect eggplant parmesan sandwich with the addition of mozzarella cheese slice and a bit of sauce! Can use in any recipe calling for meatballs. Could even put them in a casserole and top with sauce and more cheese.
• 8. Delicious and simple! My step daughter brought a friend to visit who is a vegetarian who has never had eggplant! This is a very good recipe for the introduction of eggplant. The texture is much like a meatball and the flavor is subtle. She now LOVES eggplant! :) I served them with spaghetti and red sauce.

EGGPLANT "MEATBALLS"

Steps:

• Heat a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and saute the garlic in the hot oil until just fragrant and barely starting to lightly brown, about 30 seconds. Add the eggplant and 1/4 cup of water. Lower the heat to low and cover the skillet. Allow the eggplant to steam until soft, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, if you have time.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
• Place the eggplant mixture in a food processor and pulse until well chopped, but not pureed. Or just do this on a cutting board with a knife.
• Transfer the eggplant mixture to a large mixing bowl and add the cheese, parsley, basil, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture well to combine, using your hands or a wooden spoon. The mixture can be refrigerated at this point, covered for up to a day. It is easier to roll into meatballs when the mixture is cooled down. (If doing so, preheat the oven 30 minutes before baking the meatballs.)
• Roll or scoop the mixture using a 1- to 1 1/2-ounce ice cream scoop into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, or until firm on the outside and light brown underneath.
• Meanwhile, heat the marinara sauce in a large saucepan over low heat until simmering. Transfer the meatballs to the saucepan with marinara sauce. Toss with the sauce and serve.

AUNT MARY'S EGGPLANT BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Pour in olive oil and saute garlic just until lightly browned. Mix in eggplant and water. Reduce heat to low and cover skillet. Allow eggplant to steam until soft, about 20 minutes. Place eggplant in a large bowl and allow to cool slightly.
• Mix cheese, parsley, eggs, and bread crumbs into eggplant. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until ingredients are thoroughly combined and mixture can be rolled into balls. Add more bread crumbs as needed to make mixture workable. Refrigerate mixture for 15 minutes, then roll into balls or form into patties.
• Place eggplant balls on prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.

ITALIAN EGGPLANT BALLS (USE JUST LIKE MEATBALLS) FRY OR BAKE

Steps:

• In food processor, prepare the ingredients that need to be minced or diced mentioned above.
• In a large saucepan, heat oil & gently sauté garlic until golden brown.
• Add diced eggplant & water - then cover & simmer under low heat until eggplant is VERY soft. Drain if watery when done then transfer to large bowl.
• Combine eggplant, breadcrumbs, parsley, eggs and cheese in large bowl. Let stand for 20 minutes.
• Form into balls (same size as you prefer your meatballs to be) and fry in olive oil in large pan or bake in over for 30-35 minute at 325º or until brown.

EGGPLANT BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC) and lightly grease 2 oven trays. Clean the eggplants, peel them and slice them into disks. Lightly drizzle with olive oil and bake them for 45 min until golden. Let them cool. In a food processor, finely chop the eggplant.
• In a bowl mix the onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, basil, parsley, egg and parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Add the chopped eggplants.
• Wet your hands with a little water and shape the eggplant mixture into balls. Place them on a non-stick oven tray and bake them for 25 minutes until deep golden brown and slightly crusty. Do not overbake or they will be too dry. Remove tray from oven and cover with foil to let the meatballs steam until ready to serve.

BAKED AUBERGINE (EGGPLANT) BALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Grease a baking sheet.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium heat.
• Pour in olive oil and saute garlic just until lightly browned.
• Mix in eggplant and water.
• Reduce heat to low and cover skillet.
• Allow eggplant to steam until soft, about 20 minutes.
• Place eggplant in a large bowl and allow to cool slightly.
• Mix cheese, parsley, eggs, and bread crumbs into eggplant.
• Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until ingredients are thoroughly combined and mixture can be rolled into balls.
• Add more bread crumbs as needed to make mixture workable.
• Refrigerate mixture for 15 minutes, then roll into balls or form into patties.
• Place eggplant balls on prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
• Serve immediately.