Mediterranean Pasta
- Average
- 1 h 10 min
If you're on the hunt for a dish that truly captures the heart of southern Italy, Mediterranean eggplant rolls are it. Seriously good stuff. Picture the best coastal flavors all in one bite: tender eggplant slices, rich tomato sauce, gooey mozzarella, and a punch of olives—all brought to life with fresh basil. In places like Sicily and Calabria, eggplant is a staple. And look, they've really mastered turning it into deliciousness. These eggplant roll-ups are a classic. Kind of like an Italian twist on stuffed peppers or lasagna, but way, way lighter and bursting with that fresh, tangy taste you get from sun-kissed tomatoes and herbs. You might even find versions with capers or a hint of chili, but mozzarella and basil are always there for that genuine southern flavor.
These stuffed eggplant rolls are perfect for any occasion. Big family gathering or a chill weeknight craving something healthy yet satisfying? Yep, these work great. And here's the thing: they're amazing with a drizzle of olive oil and some crusty bread to soak up the moist sauce. Plus, since they are baked, not fried, they strike a balance between tasty and light. They're a hit among healthy Mediterranean appetizers and easy weeknight meals. Unlike other vegetarian eggplant dishes like "involtini di melanzane a beccafico" or "pizzette di melanzane," this one stays true to the Mediterranean love for simple ingredients. And the sauce? Smells like summer.
Take a bite. Enjoy that awesome combo of crispy baked eggplant edges, melty cheese, and a sauce that just screams summer. It's the kind of dish that makes you wish you were lounging on a patio by the sea. Pretty much the best. Whether you call them Mediterranean eggplant rolls or just your new favorite appetizer, this is the dish you'll want to make whenever eggplants are in season.
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To prepare the Mediterranean eggplant rolls, first start by making the sauce: heat the oil in a saucepan, add a clove of garlic 1 and let it brown for 5 minutes on low heat. Once the oil is flavored, pour in the tomato pulp 2, add salt 3, pepper, and let cook for another 15 minutes.
While the tomato sauce is cooking, wash the eggplant and cut it into slices about 0.4 inches thick using a mandoline 4: you should get 4 long slices of uniform thickness. Heat a grill pan well and grill the eggplant slices 5 on both sides 6, then transfer them to a plate or cutting board.
When the tomato sauce is ready, remove the garlic clove 7. Tear the mozzarella into pieces with your hands 8 and preheat the oven to 356°F in static mode. Now you're ready to assemble the rolls: spread a layer of tomato sauce on the surface of the eggplants 9,
add some shredded mozzarella 10, a teaspoon of olives 11, and a basil leaf 12.
Roll up the eggplants with their filling 13 and place them in a small baking dish with the seam side down 14. Finally, cover the rolls with a bit of tomato sauce 15
and a few pieces of mozzarella 16. The rolls are now ready to be baked 17: cook them in the preheated static oven at 356°F for about 10 minutes, just enough time to melt the cheese. Once out of the oven, your Mediterranean eggplant rolls are ready to be enjoyed while still melty 18!