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Eggplant alla pizzaiola

17/11/2023

Eggplant alla pizzaiola is a delicious Italian-style way of preparing eggplants with flavors reminiscent of pizza. Here is a simple and tasty recipe to make this dish.

Ingredients

  • Eggplants, 2 medium
  • Peeled tomatoes, 400 g (or tomato puree)
  • Garlic, 2 cloves
  • Oregano, to taste
  • Fresh basil, a few leaves
  • Mozzarella, 200 g
  • Extra virgin olive oil, to taste
  • Salt, to taste
  • Red pepper flakes (optional), to taste
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (optional), to taste

Preparation

  1. Start by washing the eggplants, cut them into slices about 1 cm thick and place them on a grill to release any bitterness and excess water, salting them lightly. After about 30 minutes, dab the eggplants with paper towels to dry them.

  2. In the meantime, heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large pan and sauté the garlic cloves until they are golden brown. Add the peeled tomatoes, crushing them lightly with a wooden spoon, or pour in the tomato puree. Cook for about 15 minutes over medium heat, adjusting the salt and adding oregano and red pepper flakes to taste.

  3. In another pan, grill the eggplant slices on both sides until they are slightly browned.

  4. Take an oven dish and pour a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom. Arrange a layer of grilled eggplants, cover with some tomato sauce, add hand-torn basil and pieces of mozzarella.

  5. Repeat the layers as many times as you wish, finishing with the sauce and mozzarella on top.

  6. Optionally, you can add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese on the last layer for an extra touch of flavor.

  7. Bake the eggplant alla pizzaiola in a preheated oven at 180 °C for about 20-25 minutes, or until the mozzarella is nicely melted and the surface is slightly browned.

Serve hot, perhaps with a sprinkle of fresh basil.

Curiosity

Pizzaiola is a way of seasoning that takes up classic pizza ingredients, such as tomato and mozzarella, and can be used not only on eggplants but also on meat or other types of vegetables. Combining the melty mozzarella and the freshness of the tomato, eggplant alla pizzaiola represents a comforting dish loved in many Italian families.