Eggplant Tartlets

17/11/2023

Eggplant tartlets are a delightful dish that combines the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine. Here is the recipe to prepare tasty Italian-style eggplant tartlets.

Ingredients

2 medium-sized eggplants
200 g of mozzarella (buffalo mozzarella is better)
100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
200 g of tomato puree
2 cloves of garlic
Fresh basil to taste
Extra virgin olive oil to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
Breadcrumbs (optional)

Preparation

Wash the eggplants and cut them into slices about half a centimeter thick. Sprinkle the slices with some salt and leave them to drain in a colander for about 30 minutes to eliminate any bitterness.
In the meantime, prepare the tomato sauce by sautéing the garlic cloves with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Add the tomato puree, salt, and cook over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, until it reduces slightly. At the end of cooking, add the basil leaves torn by hand.
Rinse the eggplants to remove vegetation water and dry them with paper towels. Grill the eggplant slices on a hot grill or in a non-stick pan until they have softened and taken on a nice golden color on both sides.
Cut the mozzarella into slices or cubes and let it drain.
Now assemble the tartlets in a baking dish: start with a thin layer of tomato sauce, then a slice of eggplant, a bit of mozzarella, a sprinkling of Parmesan, and some basil leaves. Continue stacking the ingredients until they are used up, ending with a final layer of eggplant, sauce, and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan.
If you wish, you can also add some breadcrumbs on top to get a golden crust.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 20 minutes, or until the surface is golden and the mozzarella has melted.
Let stand for a few minutes before serving.

Trivia

The eggplant tartlet is a variation of the eggplant parmigiana, a classic of Southern Italian cuisine. Compared to parmigiana, the tartlets are single servings that can be served as a main course or as an elegant appetizer on special occasions.