Eggplant Meatballs
Eggplant Meatballs are delicious, hearty, and make a perfect vegetarian substitute. They are fabulous when served over julienne zucchini. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 1 large Eggplant diced small
- 8 ounces Mushrooms diced small
- ⅓ cup Extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt to taste
- 3 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese finely grated
- 1 ½ teaspoon Fresh thyme finely chopped
- 1 ½ teaspoon Fresh oregano finely chopped
- ¾ teaspoon Ground fennel
- ¼ teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
- ⅛ teaspoon Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 large Egg whisked
- ⅓ cup Panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients together.
- Place your oven racks in the middle of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
- Put the eggplant and mushrooms in a large bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and salt and pepper and stir to combine.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Spread the mixture onto the baking sheets and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the pans from the oven and stir and return to the oven rotating the pans and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
- Remove and cool to room temperature.
- Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
- Finely chop the thyme and oregano or use a mortar and pestle.
- Place all of the ingredients in a food processor, pulse to combine. The mixture should be well combined but still have some texture (be careful, do not blend into a paste).
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- With your hands form the mixture into 2-inch balls.
- Bake for 20 – 30 minutes, until cooked through and beginning to firm up.
- This is a great dish served over julienne zucchini with our Roasted Tomato & Pepper Marinara Sauce.
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