Zucchini and Eggplant Summer Casserole

Ingredients

  • 1 large eggplant
  • 2 medium zucchini
  • 1 large sweet (walla walla or vidalia) onion cut in half and then sliced thin
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 green pepper cut into strips
  • 12 brown crimini mushrooms halved
  • 4 roma tomatoes peeled and seeded cut into quarters
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/2 cup of basil
  • 1 cup of flour
  • oil for frying
  • salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

Step 1

peel and cube the eggplant

slice the zucchini into 1/2" rounds

place in collander salt heavily and let sit for 20 mins.

rinse and dry on paper towels

dredge in flour seasoned with salt

fry in batches medium-high heat until golden brown and drain on paper towels; set aside

clean the skillet and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil and saute the onion, garlic, bell pepper and mushrooms just until the mushrooms have released moisture and onions are translucent

add the tomatoes and basil and salt and pepper to taste; saute for another few minutes until the tomatoes are softened

in a casserole (flat - 3 quart) make a layer of the zucchini and eggplant

then a layer of the onion - tomato mixture

sprinkle with 1/2 of the parmesan

then another layer of the eggplant and zucchini

and finish with the onion - tomato

top with remaining parmesan

and place in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes

and serve