15 Authentic Italian Eggplant Recipes

Eggplants are like sponges; they absorb all the flavors and taste even better the next day

Large eggplants are often full of seeds

Buy smaller eggplants

Peeling them is best but not necessary

Current eggplants are not as bitter

There is no need to drain them in salt

Round eggplants are suitable for grilling

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Top Tips

using eggplants

Appetizers

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Eggplant Meatballs

Deep-fried eggplant meatballs flavored with basil, garlic, and Parmesan. 

Eggplant Caponata

A traditional sweet and sour recipe made with peppers, eggplants, celery, capers, basil, nuts, and raisins.

Eggplant Caviar

Baked eggplants with plenty of garlic, thyme and olive oil.

Eggplant Spiedini

Thin slices of eggplants, coated with breadcrumbs and rolled, then baked in the oven or grilled.

Primi Piatti

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Baked Eggplant Pasta 

The baked pasta Aneletti wrapped in eggplants filled with caciocavallo and seasoned with ricotta salata. 

Rigatoni Alla Norma

The pasta sauce is made with fried eggplants, tomato sauce, basil, and sprinkled with ricotta salata.

Swordfish Eggplant Ragu

Pasta served with swordfish ragu mixed with fried eggplants.

Vegetarian Rice Timbale

Vegetarian Sartu is a baked risotto mixed with eggplants

VegetarianVegan  Mains

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Eggplant Milanese

A vegetarian version of the veal Milanese, crispy outside, soft and chunky inside.

No-fry Eggplant Parmesan

It is the vegetarian version of a Lasagna where thinly sliced eggplants are used instead of pasta sheets.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Vegan bell peppers stuffed with fried eggplants, capers, and olives

Pizza alla Norma

Pizza topped with mozzarella, fried or grilled eggplants and ricotta salata. 

Side  Dishes

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Ciambotta or Giambotta

Italian vegetable stew made with summer vegetables like peppers, eggplants, zucchini, onions, and potatoes.

Italian Ratatouille

All vegetables are caramelized in the oven at once.

Grilled Eggplant Salad

Grilled zucchini, eggplant, and pepper salad seasoned with basil, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil.