Savory Eggplant & Olive Truffles
Delight in these irresistible Savory Eggplant & Olive Truffles, a vegetarian twist on traditional meatballs that showcases the vibrant flavors of roasted eggplant and briny kalamata olives. These light, fluffy truffles are golden-brown and flavorful, making them a perfect appetizer or side dish. While their appearance may resemble meatballs, their texture is distinctly airy and satisfying, best enjoyed fresh from the oven. Prep the mixture ahead of time and bake them just before serving for a delightful treat your guests will love!
24
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
eggplant
18 ounces (halved lengthwise)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for brushing)
pine nuts
1/2 cup (toasted)
kalamata olives
20 (pitted and chopped)
dry breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons
freshly grated parmesan cheese
8 tablespoons
fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
garlic
1 clove (pressed)
egg
1 (beaten (organic is best))
butter
(for greasing)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
2
Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and brush the cut sides with olive oil.
3
Place the eggplant halves, cut side down, on a baking sheet and roast them in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until they are golden and completely soft.
4
Remove from the oven and let the eggplants cool slightly. Once cooled, peel off the skins, discarding them, and finely chop the flesh.
5
Lower the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
6
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped eggplant, toasted pine nuts, chopped kalamata olives, dry breadcrumbs, 6 tablespoons of the grated parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, pressed garlic, and the beaten egg. Mix until well combined.
7
Allow the mixture to rest for 10-15 minutes to let the flavors meld.
8
Grease a large baking sheet with butter.
9
Using your hands, form the mixture into bite-sized balls (truffles) and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
10
Sprinkle a pinch of the remaining parmesan cheese on top of each truffle.
11
Bake the truffles in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until they are golden brown and puffed up.
12
Serve the truffles hot, garnished with extra parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Eggplant & Olive Truffles?
They are a vegetarian appetizer made from roasted eggplant and kalamata olives, offering a light and fluffy alternative to meatballs.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, these truffles are a vegetarian-friendly dish.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 24 bite-sized truffles.
What is the main ingredient in these truffles?
The main ingredient is 18 ounces of eggplant, halved lengthwise and roasted.
At what temperature should I roast the eggplant?
The eggplant should be roasted at 450°F (232°C).
How long does the eggplant need to roast?
Roast the eggplant for about 30 minutes until it is golden and completely soft.
Should I keep the eggplant skin?
No, once the eggplant has cooled slightly after roasting, you should peel off and discard the skins.
What oven temperature is used to bake the truffles?
The truffles are baked at a lower temperature of 400°F (200°C).
What kind of olives are recommended?
The recipe calls for 20 pitted and chopped kalamata olives.
Do these truffles contain nuts?
Yes, they include 1/2 cup of toasted pine nuts.
What type of cheese is used in the mixture?
Freshly grated parmesan cheese is used both in the mixture and as a topping.
How much parmesan cheese is needed in total?
You will need 8 tablespoons of grated parmesan: 6 for the mix and the remainder for sprinkling on top.
Why should the mixture rest before forming the truffles?
Allowing the mixture to rest for 10-15 minutes helps the flavors meld together.
How do I form the truffles?
Use your hands to shape the mixture into bite-sized balls.
What is the texture of these eggplant truffles?
They have an airy, light, and fluffy texture rather than a dense meatball consistency.
How long do the truffles take to bake?
They bake for 15-20 minutes until they are golden brown and puffed up.
Can I make these truffles gluten-free?
Yes, the recipe is gluten-free optional if you substitute the dry breadcrumbs with a gluten-free alternative.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the eggplant mixture ahead of time and bake the truffles just before serving.
How should these be served?
They are best served hot, fresh from the oven, and can be garnished with extra parsley.
What should I use to grease the baking sheet?
The recipe recommends using butter to grease the large baking sheet.
Is there garlic in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes one pressed clove of garlic.
What kind of egg is suggested?
The recipe suggests using one beaten egg, noting that organic is best.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 ingredients: eggplant, olive oil, pine nuts, kalamata olives, breadcrumbs, parmesan, parsley, garlic, egg, and butter.
Do I need to toast the pine nuts?
Yes, the pine nuts should be toasted before being added to the mixture.
Can these be served as a side dish?
Absolutely, they work well as either a festive appetizer or a side dish.
What color should the eggplant flesh be after roasting?
The eggplant should be roasted until the flesh is golden and soft.
How do I prepare the eggplant for roasting?
Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and brush the cut sides with olive oil.
What herbs are used in this recipe?
Fresh chopped parsley is used in the mixture and can be used for garnish.
Are the truffles fried or baked?
These truffles are baked in the oven, making them a healthier alternative to fried appetizers.
Is the eggplant skin edible in this recipe?
While eggplant skin is edible, this specific recipe instructs you to discard it to achieve a fluffy truffle texture.