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Mediterranean Eggplant Rolls

17/11/2023

Mediterranean eggplant rolls are a delicious dish that combines the intense and fresh flavors typical of the cuisine of this area. Here’s how to prepare them:

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggplants
  • 200 g of cherry tomatoes
  • 150 g of fiordilatte mozzarella (or another spun paste cheese)
  • 10-15 fresh basil leaves
  • 50 g of salted capers (to be rinsed and desalinated)
  • Pitted black olives as needed
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • Salt and pepper as needed
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Breadcrumbs (optional, for a crunchy breading)

Preparation

  1. Start by washing the eggplants and cutting them into longitudinal slices about 5 mm thick.

  2. Arrange the eggplant slices on a grill and salt them slightly to remove the bitterness. After about 20 minutes, rinse the slices and dry them with paper towels.

  3. On a griddle or non-stick pan, cook the eggplant slices until they are soft and slightly golden. Brush with a bit of oil if necessary.

  4. In the meantime, cut the cherry tomatoes in half and thinly slice the mozzarella. Also prepare a mince with the olives and desalted capers.

  5. Take a slice of eggplant, place some cherry tomatoes on top, a piece of mozzarella, some of the olive and caper mixture, and a basil leaf. Gently roll up to form the rolls.

  6. If you desire additional crunchiness, you can roll the eggplant rolls in breadcrumbs, after lightly brushing them with oil.

  7. Arrange the rolls in a previously oiled baking dish, with the seam side down.

  8. In a pan, make a quick sauté with the garlic cloves and a drizzle of oil. Then remove the garlic and pour the sauté over the rolls.

  9. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 15 minutes, or until the surface of the rolls is golden brown.

Serve them hot, perhaps with a drizzle of raw oil and a few fresh basil leaves for garnish.

Curiosity

This dish is the perfect expression of the sea and sun of the Mediterranean enclosed in a roll. The eggplant, true queen of the Mediterranean garden, pairs well with the acidity of the tomatoes and the bold flavor of the capers and olives, balanced by the sweetness of the mozzarella. Each bite is a journey to the lands of the South!