Farm-to-Table Eggplant Parmesan Delight
This Farm-to-Table Eggplant Parmesan Delight celebrates the vibrant flavors of freshly harvested eggplants, handpicked from my own container garden. Growing these luscious, purple beauties on my porch has not only kept them safe from pests but also allowed me to enjoy them at their peak ripeness. This dish combines tender, breaded slices of eggplant layered with al dente pasta and rich marinara sauce, all topped with a gooey layer of melted parmesan cheese. Perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends, this recipe is not just a meal; it's a culinary experience that showcases the joy of homegrown produce.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Eggplants
3 small (sliced into 1/4 inch thick circles)
Flour
1 cup (seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and grated parmesan)
Egg
1 large (beaten)
Water
1 cup (for egg wash)
Grated parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon (for seasoning flour)
Panko breadcrumbs
1 cup (for breading)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Spaghetti or angel hair pasta
7 ounces (cooked al dente)
Olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons (for frying and pasta)
Spaghetti sauce
28 ounces (homemade or store-bought)
Shredded parmesan cheese
1 cup (for topping)
Instructions
1
Night before cooking, slice the eggplants into 1/4 inch thick circles and soak them in salt water for at least 30 minutes to enhance tenderness. Drain and pat dry before using.
2
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and grated parmesan cheese. In another bowl, beat the egg and whisk it together with water to create an egg wash.
3
Set up a three-station breading station: Dip each eggplant slice into the seasoned flour, then into the egg wash, and finally coat well with panko breadcrumbs.
4
In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add a dash of olive oil or butter to prevent boiling over. When boiling, add the spaghetti or angel hair pasta and cook until just al dente, about 5-7 minutes. Drain and toss with a splash of olive oil.
5
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the breaded eggplant slices, frying them for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
6
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a 3 x 9 x 12 inch casserole dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer the cooked pasta evenly over the sauce, followed by a generous layer of marinara sauce, and then the fried eggplant slices.
7
Top the casserole with a final layer of shredded parmesan cheese before placing it in the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
8
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Slice, serve, and enjoy the rich flavors of your Garden Fresh Eggplant Parmesan delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Farm-to-Table Eggplant Parmesan Delight?
It is a vegetarian dish featuring breaded eggplant slices layered with pasta, marinara sauce, and melted parmesan cheese, highlighting homegrown produce.
How many eggplants are required for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 small eggplants.
Why should I soak the eggplants in salt water?
Soaking the eggplant slices in salt water enhances their tenderness before cooking.
How long should the eggplant soak?
You should soak them for at least 30 minutes, though the recipe suggests starting the night before for best results.
What type of pasta is recommended for this dish?
Spaghetti or angel hair pasta are the recommended choices.
What ingredients are used to season the flour?
The flour is seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and grated parmesan cheese.
How do you make the egg wash?
The egg wash is made by beating one large egg and whisking it together with one cup of water.
What type of breadcrumbs are used for the coating?
The recipe uses one cup of panko breadcrumbs for a crispy coating.
How thick should the eggplant circles be sliced?
The eggplant should be sliced into 1/4 inch thick circles.
How do I prevent the pasta water from boiling over?
Adding a dash of olive oil or butter to the boiling water helps prevent it from boiling over.
What is the desired texture for the pasta?
The pasta should be cooked until it is just al dente, which typically takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
How long should I fry the eggplant slices?
Fry the breaded slices for about 5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
What oven temperature is needed for baking the casserole?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
What size casserole dish is needed?
The recipe recommends using a 3 x 9 x 12 inch casserole dish.
How are the layers assembled in the casserole dish?
Start with a thin layer of sauce, followed by pasta, then more sauce, then fried eggplant, and finally shredded parmesan cheese.
How long does the casserole bake in the oven?
Bake the dish for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
What type of sauce can be used?
You can use 28 ounces of either homemade or store-bought spaghetti sauce.
Is this dish suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is tagged as vegetarian and uses plant-based main ingredients along with dairy.
How much pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 7 ounces of spaghetti or angel hair pasta.
What should I do with the eggplant after frying?
Drain the fried eggplant on paper towels to remove any excess oil.
How much olive oil is required?
The recipe uses 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil for frying and tossing with the pasta.
How much garlic powder is used?
Use 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder to season the flour.
Can I grow the ingredients myself?
Yes, the description mentions growing eggplants in container gardens or on porches.
What kind of cheese goes on top?
One cup of shredded parmesan cheese is used for the top layer.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients listed for this Eggplant Parmesan.
Should the dish be served immediately after baking?
The instructions recommend letting the dish cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
How do you setup the breading station?
It is a three-station process: first dip in seasoned flour, then the egg wash, and finally the panko breadcrumbs.
What are the common tags for this recipe?
Tags include eggplant, parmesan, vegetarian, pasta, comfort food, homegrown, and italian.
What amount of salt and pepper should be used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, or to taste.
Is this considered an easy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and a one-dish meal.