The eggplant is closely related to the tomato and potato and its fruit is scientifically classified as a berry although it is often treated as a vegetable. When the plant first immigrated to the United States and Canada (in the 1700′s), it produced a yellowish or white fruit which lead to its common name (eggplant).
Although it has a bitter taste in its raw state, eggplant meat becomes quite tender when cooked and develops a rich, complex flavor.
Nostalgia Farms’ Eggplant Parmesan
Ingredients:
2 large eggplant
2 cups seasoned flour
2 beaten eggs
2 cups milk
Dash of hot sauce
Parmesan cheese
Mozzarella cheese
4 cups fresh or canned pasta sauce
Vegetable oil for frying
Directions:
1. Peel and slice and slice eggplant approximately ½ -¾ inch thick. (I use the thickness of my finger.)
2. In a bowl, put 2 cups of milk and add a dash of hot sauce.
3. Immediately put eggplant slices into milk and hot sauce mixture, this aids in keeping the eggplant from turning brown.
4. In two separate bowls place beaten eggs (in one bowl) and in another bowl a mixture of 2 cups of flour seasoned with (1) tsp each of salt, pepper, dried oregano and basil.
5. Take slices of eggplant from milk mixture; dip in flour, than egg and back into flour mixture again.
6. Take floured slices and fry in a large pan with ½ inch of vegetable oil until browned on both sides.
7. Drain on plate covered with paper towels.
8. Cover the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish with a thin coating of pasta sauce.
9. Place half of the eggplant in bottom of pan, top each slice with pasta sauce and mozzarella cheese.
10. Top each slice with another slice of eggplant, pour remaining sauce over all, top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
11. Bake in a 350 oven until bubbly and the cheese has started to brown.
This dish travels well and reheats beautifully. If you have extra eggplant, freeze after frying and use as the start to a winter dinner.
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Joe Dennis is a farmer at Nostalgia Farms in Walcott, Iowa. Together with his partner, Ed Kraklio, they sell locally-grown, organic produce at the Freight House Farmer’s Market in downtown Davenport, IA near LeClaire Park, every Tuesday (3-6 pm) and Saturday (8 am -1 pm). You can visit the farm’s website at: www.nostalgiafarms.com. Read more of Farmer Joe’s blog posts on MVHNews, or try any of the Nostalgia Farms recipes on this website. |
