Grilled Eggplant with Lemon & Mint
Tossed with fresh mint for added brightness, this barbecued eggplant boasts a wonderfully-rich and smoky flavor.
Ingredients:
2 medium eggplants
Olive oil, for basting
For dressing:
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
Juice and zest from 1 lemon
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1-2 teaspoons sugar
4 tablespoons very coarsely chopped mint
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper
Method:
1. Prepare the dressing: Whisk olive oil, lemon zest and juice and balsamic vinegar in a small bowl. Add in sugar, salt and pepper and check for taste (it should be fairly sweet). Add in half of the chopped mint and set aside.
2. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat. Cut each eggplant lengthwise into about 8 thin slices about ¼-inch thick, then brush each liberally with olive oil. Lay on the grill, cooking each side about 2-3 minutes until golden brown and slightly charred.
3. Arrange the slices on a large platter and spoon dressing over top. Cover and set aside to allow eggplant to soak up the dressing. Sprinkle with the remaining mint and serve warm or at room temperature.
Harvest Time Recipes
The amazingly sunny weather of late sure has kept the gardens happy! Thus, a colorful plethora of produce continues to delight in this week’s lineup, which includes everything from fall favorites like Italian eggplant, Bietole Swiss chard, and sweet D’Anjou pears to summery peppers, cucumbers and even more tomatoes. To accent this beautiful bounty, you’ll also find freshly-baked Pain au Levain bread, crisp salad greens, farm-fresh eggs, a sweet mini bouquet and imported artichoke leaf pasta in your box. Enjoy!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Artichoke Leaf Pasta with Heirloom Tomatoes & Basil
Using fresh tomatoes, top-notch olive oil and an authentic Grana-style cheese are key to this dish’s success.
Escarole Salad with Grana-Dijon Dressing
A wonderful side salad!
Baked Fennel
This classic Italian finocchi gratinati is simply sublime.
Bietole Swiss Chard Gratin
Creamy with just a hint of mustard, this rustic gratin makes for a lovely side dish.
Eggplant Caponata
This traditional Tuscan relish is lovely on toasted Pain au Levain bread.
Autumn Splendor Recipes
As we officially greet the start of fall here this week, the color-rich produce coming in from the gardens is as bright and beautiful as those first turning leaves. Featuring such favorites as Italian eggplant, broccolini, fennel and Little Gem lettuce, as well as lingering summer highlights like yellow peaches, blueberries and heirloom tomatoes, this fall-fresh lineup is also accented by pillowy focaccia bread, farm-fresh eggs, peppery edible flowers and cheery mini bouquets. Enjoy!
Here are a few recipe ideas for the week:
Roasted Ratatouille Toasts
A delightful spin on the classic stew, this time slathered on toasted bread as a starter!
Beet, Carrot & Pomegranate Salad
This colorful salad is perfect for fall and beyond.
Heirloom Tomato Salad with Roasted Sweet Onions
Roasted sweet onion adds a wonderful depth of flavor to this refreshing salad.
Grilled Fennel
A wonderful side for roasted chicken or steak.
Smoky Summer Pepper & Eggplant Salsa
This smoky salsa is a wonderful boost for burgers, sausages and more.
Smoky Summer Pepper & Eggplant Salsa
This smoky salsa is a wonderful boost for burgers, sausages and more.
Ingredients:
4-6 Jimmy Nardello red peppers
1 Italian eggplant
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 shallots, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice
1 small bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tablespoons freshly chopped dill
Method:
1. Roast the eggplant and the peppers directly over the flame of a gas burner, or put under a preheated broiler, turning frequently, until completely blackened and soft. Place in a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to sweat for about 10 minutes. Then, remove and peel off all blackened skin and discard. Remove stems and seeds from the peppers and chop finely; cut stem off eggplant and chop finely.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet, add shallots and garlic, and sauté for about 3 minutes until soft. Transfer to a large bowl and add the peppers, eggplant, the oil, sugar, salt, lemon juice, cilantro and dill, and mix well.
