Il Cucinologo
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Eggplant Pizzaiola

17/11/2023

Eggplant pizzaiola is a delicious way to prepare eggplant in the Italian style with flavors reminiscent of pizza. Here is a simple and tasty recipe to make this dish.

Ingredients

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

Preparation

  1. Start by washing the eggplant, slice it into pieces about 1 cm thick and arrange them on a rack to release any bitterness and excess water, lightly salting them. After about 30 minutes, pat the eggplant dry with paper towels.

  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the garlic cloves until golden. Add the peeled tomatoes, lightly crushing them with a wooden spoon, or pour in the tomato passata. Let cook for about 15 minutes over medium heat, adjusting the salt and adding oregano and chili pepper to your taste.

  3. In another skillet, grill the eggplant slices on both sides until lightly golden.

  4. Take a baking dish and spread a thin layer of tomato sauce on the bottom. Arrange a layer of grilled eggplant, cover with some tomato sauce, add hand-torn basil and pieces of mozzarella.

  5. Repeat the steps for as many layers as desired, finishing with sauce and mozzarella on top.

  6. Optionally, you can add a sprinkle of grated Parmesan on the final layer for extra flavor.

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

Serve hot, perhaps accompanied by a sprinkle of fresh basil.

Fun Fact

Pizzaiola is a seasoning style that uses classic pizza ingredients like tomato and mozzarella, and can be used to season not only eggplant but also meat or other types of vegetables. Combining the stringy mozzarella and the freshness of tomato, eggplant pizzaiola is a comforting dish loved in many Italian families.