EGGPLANT "MEATBALLS"

By Golfwidow7

6 Freestyle Points
Hearty eggplant is one of the best vegetable substitutes to make these luscious, meatless “meatballs”. Whether you serve them as a meatless main course piled on top of zoodles or pasta, or served as an appetizer, these eggplant meatballs are delish!

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/4 lbs unpeeled eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces
• kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tbsp chopped basil, plus leaves for garnish
• 1 1/2 cups Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 2 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly grated, plus more for serving
• 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 (25.25 ounce jar) DeLallo Pomodoro sauce
• part skim ricotta cheese, for serving (optional)

Details

Servings 24
Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 50mins

Preparation

Step 1

Heat the oven to 375°F. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
Place 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. When hot add the eggplant and 1/4 cup water. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring occasionally until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times.
Transfer to a bowl and add bread crumbs, beaten egg, Romano cheese, parsley, garlic and chopped basil into the eggplant. Season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.
Form the eggplant mixture into 24 balls about 1 1/8 oz each, rolling tightly and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Bake until firm and browned, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Heat the sauce in a large deep skillet to warm the sauce. Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Garnish the meatballs with basil leaves and serve with ricotta cheese if desired.