Eggplant Involtini with Rose Romano’s Italian Peppers

 

 

I’m guessing that many of you reading my post today are bloggers as well.  Did you ever feel like to scream because something went wrong with your blog or you decided to add a new feature only to realize that the code entered was all wrong and you were terrified that it could mess up the layout?

This happened to me three times over a period of several weeks. For some reason I keep thinking I’m some sort of tech wizard – NOT!!!

My blogger friend Jo-Lynne of Musings of a Housewife came to my rescue.  She’s an amazing woman, wife, mother, business woman and still has time for an incredible blog. I had several issues come up with my blog and each time she helped me, she’s very tech savvy.  So you can imagine the gratitude I felt.

I wanted to pay Jo-Lynne for helping me but she wouldn’t hear of it.  So after practically begging her to let me pay her in some way she asked if I would like to sample one of her clients products and tell her what I thought of it.

A couple weeks later I received a wooden box filled with All Natural Rose Romano’s Italian Peppers – 2 jars of topping with Marinara and Red Bell Peppers and 2 jars of topping with Marinara and Green Bell Peppers. Along with the toppings was a beautiful brochure sharing a brief history of the Romano family with menus to create using the toppings, plus a small recipe book.  I felt like I’d received an early holiday gift – it was FANTASTIC!

I knew immediately what I wanted to make.  One of my favorite Italian dishes is Eggplant Parmesan. I’ve never been a fan of making it like lasagna – the typical way, cutting squares for yourself then leaving the rest exposed.  I prefer making Involtini’s – little roll-ups.  Everyone can take the amount of Eggplant Involtini’s that they like, and the rest can be stored for later.

If you’ve never made these you’re in for a treat especially topped with Rose Romano’s Marinara and Italian Peppers.  It was delicious if I do say so myself. Rose Romano’s Marinara and Italian Peppers are the perfect blend of peppers, tomatoes and spices.  Add it to dishes to give them more pizzaz or pour in a bowl and simply use as a dip – it’s that good!

 

My Eggplant Involtini’s would be a great dish to prepare during the holidays, for a crowd, or just your own family.  It’s not difficult to make, just be sure to mise en place before assembling, then it’s a breeze!

Here’s the recipe……..

Eggplant Involtini

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 large eggplant

1 tablespoon salt

1 cup Progresso Italian Style bread crumbs

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped

3 eggs, beaten

Salt and pepper

1 (15-ounce) carton ricotta cheese

1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded thin

½ cup Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese

¼ cup fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped

1 egg

1/8 teaspoon black ground pepper

1/3 cup olive oil for frying, or more as needed

Marinara Sauce (homemade or jarred) 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.  Cut stem and end from eggplant.  Peel the eggplant partially in strips, leaving some of the peel intact.  Using a mandolin or meat cutter, slice the eggplant into thin lengthwise slices, about 1/8” thick.  Let the eggplant slices soak in cool water with 1 tablespoon salt added for about 30 minutes while you prepare the other steps.

 

 

Place the bread crumbs, cheese, garlic, and parsley in a shallow plate.  Beat the eggs until fluffy.

 

 

Prepare the filling by placing the ricotta, mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, parsley, egg, and pepper in a bowl.  Mix well and set aside.

Rinse the eggplant in cool water and drain.  Dip each slice in the beaten eggs and then the bread crumbs on both sides.

Place the olive oil in a large skillet and over medium heat; fry the eggplant about 2 minutes on each side until golden.  Salt and pepper lightly as they fry.

Drain slices on paper towels.  Add olive oil to pan as needed, and if necessary,  clean pan midway of frying.

 

Meanwhile, using a baking dish approximately 13″ x 9″ sprayed with non-stick spray, pour in 1 cup marinara sauce to cover the bottom of the dish.

Place 2 tablespoons ricotta filling on each eggplant slice, and spread gently.

Starting from the short end of the slice, roll the eggplant up jelly-roll style.  Place each roll, seam-side down, in the baking dish.  You should have approximately 15 rolls depending on the size of your eggplant.  If all of the rolls do not fit, use an additional baking dish.

 

 

Pour the remaining sauce, an additional 3-4 cups over the rolls.  Top with the Parmesan cheese.  Cover loosely with aluminum foil.  Bake approx. 30 minutes, until bubbly on the sides.

 

Serve this comforting dish with a simple side salad.

Enjoy!!!

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14 comments

  1. This is a wonderful gluten free dish, I love eggplant parmesan and soon be making this eggplant involtini.

  2. Oh, how fantastic!!! This mouthwatering entree looks so darn tasty! I’m so glad you have your blog back to where you want it…I can ceertainly commiserate with not being techy. I’ve been going in and looking at the html trying to figure out why one paragraph is indented and the others are not…I don’t have a clue!!! But we both can cook well, right??? We can’t do it all 🙂

  3. What a lovely dish. It would, indeed, be perfect for a holiday meal. I hope all is well. Hugs and blessings…Mary

  4. A very delicious looking eggplant recipe! The sauce looks extremely flavourful.

  5. Great looking dish! Eggplant is such a terrific veggie, and goes so well with Italian-style flavorings. And boy can I identify with blog problems! I haven’t had many, thank goodness, but they’re such a pain. Anyway, good stuff – thanks.

  6. I am a sucker for Italian dishes and eggplant 🙂
    Yum!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

  7. Vicky, just after I’ve read the title of this post I went to search at Google images what was the ‘eggplant’. It is one of my favourites vegetables! – I didn’t know the name in English! Your eggplant stuffed with ricotta, salted by red souce just looks PERFECT to me! Yummmy!

  8. Thank you so much for a new eggplant recipe: I love the vegetable but have never thought of rollups – what a fantastic idea which is already on my Christmas list!! Looks so appetizing and I seem to note the aroms already 🙂 !

  9. I’d much rather get paid with goodies like these than money! You made a wonderful recipe with your gift. I love rolled eggplant dishes and this one looks particularly delicious!

  10. Sounds and looks like an amazing recipe!
    I always had difficulties preparing eggplants because they turned out to taste bitter. Now I’ll try your recipe and I’m sure it will taste great!
    http://ambassadorstable.blogspot.co.at/

    • Hi Daniela it’s always a good idea after slicing an eggplant or Aubergine as pronounced in other parts of the world, to soak the slices in water covered with a good amount of salt.

      Let soak for about 30 minutes then rinse slices well and pat dry. This will remove the bitter taste. If you remember to do this you’ll never have an issue with bitter eggplants.

      I hope you enjoy this recipe if you try it.

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