Indulge in the delectable flavors of Italian Eggplant Balls, a versatile dish that serves as an excellent meatball substitute. Crispy on the outside and bursting with tender, savory goodness on the inside, these plant-based marvels can be prepared in a variety of ways to suit your preference. Whether you choose to fry them for a golden-brown exterior or bake them for a healthier alternative, these eggplant balls will impress your taste buds. Explore the diverse recipes featured in this article, ranging from classic Italian flavors to unique and innovative twists on this delightful dish. Get ready to embark on a culinary adventure as you discover the versatility and deliciousness of Italian Eggplant Balls.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
EGGPLANT "MEATBALLS"
I love making a vegetarian version of a traditional meat recipe. I love it even more when my family and my students go crazy for it. Meatballs are such a familiar and popular food, I was a little unsure about how everyone would react when I subbed eggplant for ground beef. But sure enough, these eggplant "meatballs" were a huge hit! I honestly think these eggplant meatballs taste incredibly similar to regular ones, especially when covered with your favorite warm marinara sauce. They are tender enough to cut with a fork and are the perfect match with spaghetti squash for a serious veggie meal.
Provided by Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 1h45m
Yield 24 "meatballs"
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and saute the garlic in the hot oil until just fragrant and barely starting to lightly brown, about 30 seconds. Add the eggplant and 1/4 cup of water. Lower the heat to low and cover the skillet. Allow the eggplant to steam until soft, about 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, if you have time.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
- Place the eggplant mixture in a food processor and pulse until well chopped, but not pureed. Or just do this on a cutting board with a knife.
- Transfer the eggplant mixture to a large mixing bowl and add the cheese, parsley, basil, eggs, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Stir the mixture well to combine, using your hands or a wooden spoon. The mixture can be refrigerated at this point, covered for up to a day. It is easier to roll into meatballs when the mixture is cooled down. (If doing so, preheat the oven 30 minutes before baking the meatballs.)
- Roll or scoop the mixture using a 1- to 1 1/2-ounce ice cream scoop into 1 1/2-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, or until firm on the outside and light brown underneath.
- Meanwhile, heat the marinara sauce in a large saucepan over low heat until simmering. Transfer the meatballs to the saucepan with marinara sauce. Toss with the sauce and serve.
EGGPLANT PARMESAN BALLS BAKED OR FRIED
Eggplant parmesan takes a new shape! Easy as making meatballs, these balls are meatless. Using eggplant instead of meat. You could even shape these into patties for a vegetarian burger! Delicious!
Provided by Deb Crane
Categories Burgers
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a baking sheet lightly.
- 2. Heat olive oil in pan and sauté garlic till fragrant, about 1 or 2 minutes. Add eggplant cubes and water. Cover pot and let simmer on low, stirring occasionally so it doesnt stick. Simmer for about 20 minutes or until eggplant cubes are completely softened. I keep mushing them as I check them. If by chance it seems very liquid, drain the liquid out.
- 3. After eggplant is soft, put to the side and let it cool off until it is room temperature.
- 4. When cool, add the 2 eggs and mix well. Add the parmesan cheese.... and please, use fresh shaved into big shavings. It makes a big difference! Add the bread crumbs and salt and pepper and mix everything very well.
- 5. Put mixture in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. This will make forming the balls or patties easier.
- 6. Form into balls or patties. Place on the greased sheet, and bake for 30 minutes turning them after 20 minutes. You could also fry them in oil for a crisper texture.
- 7. Endless possibilities with these! Would make a perfect eggplant parmesan sandwich with the addition of mozzarella cheese slice and a bit of sauce! Can use in any recipe calling for meatballs. Could even put them in a casserole and top with sauce and more cheese.
- 8. Delicious and simple! My step daughter brought a friend to visit who is a vegetarian who has never had eggplant! This is a very good recipe for the introduction of eggplant. The texture is much like a meatball and the flavor is subtle. She now LOVES eggplant! :) I served them with spaghetti and red sauce.
AUNT MARY'S EGGPLANT BALLS
These hearty, delicious eggplant morsels can be used as a replacement for meatballs, or they can be fried into patties and eaten like burgers.
Provided by LYNETTE MARIE
Categories Fruits and Vegetables Vegetables Eggplant
Time 1h15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
- Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Pour in olive oil and saute garlic just until lightly browned. Mix in eggplant and water. Reduce heat to low and cover skillet. Allow eggplant to steam until soft, about 20 minutes. Place eggplant in a large bowl and allow to cool slightly.
- Mix cheese, parsley, eggs, and bread crumbs into eggplant. Stir with a wooden spoon or your hands until ingredients are thoroughly combined and mixture can be rolled into balls. Add more bread crumbs as needed to make mixture workable. Refrigerate mixture for 15 minutes, then roll into balls or form into patties.
- Place eggplant balls on prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 200.8 calories, Carbohydrate 16.1 g, Cholesterol 53.5 mg, Fat 12.1 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 7.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 257 mg, Sugar 3 g
ITALIAN EGGPLANT MEATBALLS / POLPETTE
Steps:
- Pre-heat the oven to 400F (200C). If Baking then lightly drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil on a small non-stick cookie sheet.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 56 kcal, Carbohydrate 5 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 3 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Cholesterol 19 mg, Sodium 167 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 2 g, ServingSize 1 serving
TASTY FRIED EGGPLANT BALLS
A creative way to eat eggplant!
Provided by MARBALET
Categories Appetizers and Snacks
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a medium-size pot, place one inch of water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and eggplant. Cover pot and cook 15 minutes, or until eggplant is tender. Drain well.
- Chop the cooked eggplant. In a large bowl, combine eggplant, onion, green pepper, 3/4 cup bread crumbs, 1 egg, cheese, paprika, pepper and remaining salt. Cool and chill 2 to 3 hours or overnight.
- Place flour in a bowl. Beat the remaining egg in a separate small bowl. Drop mixture by heaping teaspoonfuls into the flour and coat completely. Then dip the eggplant balls into the beaten egg; finally, coat the balls with the remaining bread crumbs.
- In a large skillet, heat vegetable oil and fry eggplant balls until they are heated through.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 250.1 calories, Carbohydrate 25.2 g, Cholesterol 48.4 mg, Fat 14.2 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 6.3 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 687.5 mg, Sugar 3.3 g
ITALIAN EGGPLANT BALLS (USE JUST LIKE MEATBALLS) FRY OR BAKE
I've made these for a long time. These Italian eggplant balls are a great substitute for meatballs. Use them just like meatballs, in sauces, in recipes, as a side dish, etc. They can be a vegetarian substitution for many dishes. I like these best fried because I like them crispy. You could bake them instead. They go great "parmesan style" too, in a casserole dish, topped with sauce, parmesan & mozzarella cheese then baked...
Provided by BlondieItaliana
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h15m
Yield 18 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In food processor, prepare the ingredients that need to be minced or diced mentioned above.
- In a large saucepan, heat oil & gently sauté garlic until golden brown.
- Add diced eggplant & water - then cover & simmer under low heat until eggplant is VERY soft. Drain if watery when done then transfer to large bowl.
- Combine eggplant, breadcrumbs, parsley, eggs and cheese in large bowl. Let stand for 20 minutes.
- Form into balls (same size as you prefer your meatballs to be) and fry in olive oil in large pan or bake in over for 30-35 minute at 325º or until brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 90.8, Fat 4.6, SaturatedFat 1.4, Cholesterol 27.4, Sodium 225.1, Carbohydrate 9, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 1.3, Protein 3.6
Tips:
- Choose the right eggplant. Use a large, firm eggplant that is free of blemishes.
- Soak the eggplant in salt water. This will help to remove the bitterness from the eggplant.
- Squeeze out the excess moisture from the eggplant. This will help to prevent the eggplant balls from being too mushy.
- Use a food processor to chop the eggplant. This will help to ensure that the eggplant is finely chopped and evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Add plenty of seasonings to the eggplant mixture. This will help to give the eggplant balls flavor.
- Use a combination of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. This will help to bind the eggplant mixture together and give the eggplant balls a crispy texture.
- Fry or bake the eggplant balls. You can either fry the eggplant balls in hot oil or bake them in a preheated oven.
- Serve the eggplant balls with your favorite sauce. You can serve the eggplant balls with tomato sauce, marinara sauce, or even pesto sauce.
Conclusion:
Italian eggplant balls are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With a little creativity, you can create a variety of different eggplant ball recipes that will please everyone at your table.
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