Roasted Tomatoes and Eggplant
This Roasted Tomatoes and Eggplant recipe has savory tender eggplant, ripe burst cherry tomatoes, and a bunch of aromatic ingredients, like fresh garlic and basil. Serve this eggplant recipe on crusty bread as a side dish or with pasta for a main course.
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Why You’ll Love This Roasted Eggplant
These Roasted Tomatoes with Eggplant are simple yet flavorful. Here are a few reasons we love this recipe and you will too:
- Bursting with Flavors – Fresh basil, capers, garlic, tomatoes, and good quality olive oil provide tons of flavor to this dish.
- Versatile Serving Options – Serve it hot, at room temperature, over pasta, or with some crusty bread.
- Simple to Make – This dish requires just a few basic steps and ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Plus, it’s easy to customize to your taste with different herbs and veggies.
- Great for Meal Prep – Make this dish in advance for a week of delicious, ready-to-go meals. The flavors only get better over time, making it a perfect option for meal prep!
Ingredients
You can whip up this recipe in about an hour with just a handful of flavorful ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Eggplant – Choose a large, glossy eggplant without any soft spots for the best taste and texture. This is the star of this Mediterranean Roasted Eggplant dish!
- Cherry Tomatoes – These add a lovely sweetness and pop of color to the dish. Opt for ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Red Onion & Garlic Cloves – These aromatics bring a depth of flavor that will have you wanting one more bite!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil – This helps to roast the eggplant to perfection, giving it a delicious tender and somewhat caramelized exterior. High-quality oil makes all the difference.
- Dried Herbs – I’m using dried basil and oregano for a touch of Mediterranean flavor.
- Vinegar & Capers – These add tang and brine to the dish, balancing out the sweetness of the tomatoes and the smokiness of the eggplant.
- Pine Nuts & Fresh Basil – Toasted pine nuts give a delightful crunch, while fresh basil adds a pop of freshness and color. They’re the perfect finishing touch to the dish!
FAQ
Can I prep this roasted eggplant in advance? Absolutely! This dish is perfect for meal prep. It can be cooked in advance and reheats well.
How can I tell if my eggplant is ripe? The eggplant should have a bright, glossy skin without any wrinkles or soft spots. The outside of the eggplant should feel firm but give slightly when pressed.
Roasted Tomatoes and Eggplant
Recipe details
Ingredients
- 1 large Italian or globe eggplant + 1 heaping tsp table salt
- ¼ cup high-quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow or red onion, diced
- 8 large garlic cloves, peeled
- 16 oz ripe cherry tomatoes or 1 14-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 tbsp capers optional
- ½ cup crushed tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt, to taste
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp red or white wine vinegar (plus more to taste)
- ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
- ¼ cup finely chopped basil, garnish
- ½ tsp cane sugar, to taste
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash and dry the eggplant. Remove the ends and slice in half lengthwise, then dice into ½” cubes. In a large bowl, combine the eggplant cubes and 1 tsp of table salt. Add tap water until all pieces are covered and set aside to soak for 15-20 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 425F. Meanwhile, prepare a 9x13” baking dish by drizzling with olive oil. You can also use a large baking sheet with a raised lip.
- Dice the onion and peel the garlic cloves, then add these to your oiled baking dish.
- Add the cherry tomatoes, capers (if using), and the ½ cup crushed tomatoes.
- Drain the salted water from the eggplant cubes, pat dry using a tea towel or paper towel, and add them to the baking dish.
- Season the contents of the baking dish with dried basil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the vinegar. Stir until all ingredients are evenly coated with oil and spices.
- Bake at 425F for approximately 35-40 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbling and thickened, and the eggplant cubes are tender. Stir occasionally.
- While your dish is baking, toast the pine nuts in a small dry skillet on the stove over medium-low heat and roughly chop the fresh basil for garnishing.
- After removing the baking dish from the oven, taste the mixture. If needed, add sugar to balance any acidity (this will depend on the acidity of the tomatoes you've used).
- Garnish with toasted pine nuts and chopped fresh basil.
- Serve hot or at room temperature, alongside crusty rustic bread, pasta, or crackers. Top with crispy spiced chickpeas or serve alongside other tapas-style dishes. Enjoy!
Tips
- Choosing ripe, quality eggplants is crucial for this dish: Look for eggplants (Italian eggplant or globe eggplant works great) with glossy skin, free of soft spots. The outside of the eggplant should be firm but give slightly when pressed.
- Add more olive oil as needed: try to keep the eggplant moist in the oven- if it looks like it's drying out, add a drizzle or two of extra olive oil.
- Season to taste: because this dish relies heavily on high-quality, fresh produce, adjust the seasonings as needed. Add more herbs, sugar, or vinegar to taste.
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