Italian Marinated Eggplant Food

EASY MARINATED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Brush the slices of eggplant with olive oil then grill in a hot grill pan until softened and caramelized on both sides.
• Place the slices of eggplant into a large jar or sealable container.
• Mix all the marinade ingredients together, adjust seasoning as necessary and pour over the eggplant.
• Seal the jar or container and allow to marinade for at least 6 hours but up to 1-2 weeks in the fridge.

ITALIAN MARINATED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Peel eggplant.
• Cut the eggplants into thin long strips, like french fries.
• Place in a colander, sprinkle with the salt, and set a plate and a weight on top. Set the colander in a large bowl and set aside for at least 2 hours.
• Squeeze as much water as you can from eggplant.
• Place water and vinegar to boil.
• Place eggplant in boiling water for 3 minutes only. Don't over cook or will be mushy.
• Drain in colander, set a plate and a weight on top. Set colander in a large bowl and set aside for at least 4 hours I do overnight.
• Squeeze any remaining liquid you can out of eggplant. Put eggplant in glass jar with fresh garlic cloves , fresh cut into big chunks hot peppers, fresh mint and good drizzle of olive oil. Shake up and refrigerate. Makes 1 quart. Enjoy!

ITALIAN MARINATED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Place eggplant in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Place a plate with a weight on top ( like two 1 -pound cans ) and leave to drain for 1 hour. Pat eggplant dry with paper towels.
• Preheat broiler. Brush a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place half the eggplant on baking sheet and toss to coat with. Broil 3 inches from heat for 2 minutes.
• Turn eggplant and broil 2 to 3 minutes more, until it begins to turn golden brown. Remove eggplant to a large platter. Repeat with another tablespoon olive oil and remaining eggplant.
• Add garlic, mint, basil, parsley and pepper to eggplant. Toss to mix. Add remaining olive oil , toss again.
• You can cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or ( to save space, like I did before 12 hungry people came over and we has one titchy fridge ) don't use the bowl in the step above and just use a ziploc bag for tossing and storing.
• Marinate in fridge for a whole day. Serve at room temperature.

CLASSIC ITALIAN SUB WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Lay the eggplant slices on a baking sheet in a single layer and brush liberally with the Homemade Italian Dressing. Roast in the oven until cooked through and golden, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Build the sandwich on the rolls with the mozzarella first, then the salami, capicola, prosciutto, mortadella, roasted eggplant and top with the lettuce, tomato and a generous drizzle of the Homemade Italian Dressing. Serve while blasting Louis Prima.
• Place the vinegar, mustard, sugar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic and shallots in a blender or food processor. While the machine is running, slowly drizzle the olive oil through the blender top or feed tube until the dressing is combined and emulsified. Adjust the seasoning if necessary; add more oil if you want it less acidic. Store the dressing up to 2 weeks in the fridge.

ITALIAN EGGPLANT SALAD

Steps:

• Slice 1 large eggplant lengthwise into thirds; soak in water 15 minutes. Drain and toss with olive oil and salt. Grill over medium-high heat until tender, about 8 minutes per side. Chop and toss with 1 large chopped tomato, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons chopped basil and 1 teaspoon each chopped oregano and red wine vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Top with shaved parmesan.

MARINATED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Wash and pare the eggplant. Slice 1/2" thick, then cut the slices into 1/2" strips. Drop strips into a pan of boiling water. When the water returns to a boil, remove the pan from the heat and let stand for 15 minutes. Drain into a colandar and and place a small plate on top of the eggplant, adding a heavy weight, such as a gallon jug of water. Let it drain for at least an hour.
• Put the eggplant in a bowl and add garlic, red pepper, salt, oregano, vinegar and olive oil. Stir gently but, well.
• Pack into small Ball canning jars and process in a hot water bath for 5 minutes.

MARINATED EGGPLANT SLICES

Steps:

• Place eggplant slices in a colander and toss with kosher salt. Let stand for 30 minutes.
• Rinse eggplant well under cold running water and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Combine garlic and vinegar in a small bowl and let stand while you cook the eggplant.
• Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Pan-fry eggplant slices in batches, adding and heating more oil between batches, until deep golden brown on both sides, 12 to 15 minutes. Repeat with any remaining slices. Transfer the slices to a large, paper towel-lined platter and let cool.
• Place the cooled eggplant slices on a serving dish in layers, sprinkling each layer with the vinegar-garlic mixture, cilantro, salt (if needed), and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

MARINATED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Toss eggplant with 1/4 cup salt and drain in a colander set over a bowl, covered, at room temperature 4 hours. (Eggplant will turn brown.) Discard liquid in bowl.
• Gently squeeze handfuls of eggplant. Bring water and vinegar to a boil in a medium pot. Add eggplant and boil, stirring occasionally, until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain in colander, then set colander over a bowl and cover eggplant with a plate and a weight (such as a large heavy can). Continue to drain, covered and chilled, 8 to 12 hours. Discard liquid in bowl. Gently squeeze handfuls of eggplant to remove excess liquid, then pat dry.
• Stir together eggplant, garlic, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1 cup oil in a bowl.
• Transfer to a 1-quart jar or other container with a tight-fitting lid and add just enough olive oil to cover eggplant. Marinate eggplant, covered and chilled, at least 4 hours. Bring to room temperature before serving.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA (SICILIAN VERSION)

Steps:

• Toss eggplant with salt and place in a colander set over a bowl. Let sit, about 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet. Add eggplant and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in celery mixture, tomatoes, olives, capers, tomato paste, and oregano. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until caponata is thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Season caponata with vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley.