This simple eggplant preparation is one of the best014as easy and delicious as grilling."
Oven-Roasted Eggplant
Roast small Italian eggplant as a versatile side dish and drizzle with lemon or your favorite vinaigrette. This simple eggplant preparation is one of the best—as easy and delicious as grilling. Roast small Italian eggplant as a versatile side dish and drizzle with lemon or your favorite vinaigrette. Or roast larger globe eggplant and use the flesh in other recipes like pastas, soups, or starters.
Ingredients
- 2 lb eggplant (about 2 globe or 4 Italian)
- Kosher salt
- 2 to 3 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
- 8 fresh thyme sprigs
- Lemon wedges or a vinaigrette for serving (optional)
Directions
- Wipe the eggplant clean and slice them in half lengthwise. With the tip of a knife, score the flesh deeply in a diamond cross-hatch pattern by making two or three long cuts, cutting at a steep angle, and then rotating the eggplant to make another set of similar cuts.
- Press on the edges of the halves to open the cuts and sprinkle salt (1 to 1-1/2 tsp. total for all the halves) over the surface and into the cuts. Set aside, cut side up, for 30 min. Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Over the sink, gently squeeze the eggplant to extract the salty juice and wipe them dry with a paper towel. Brush each half thoroughly with olive oil (about 1 tsp. per half for Italian eggplant, 2 tsp. per half for globe). Arrange each half, cut side down, on top of a sprig or two of thyme on the baking sheet. Roast for 1 hour.
- The eggplant will collapse and the bottoms will be a deep brown caramel color. Let cool considerably before handling, at least 20 min. Gently turn the cut side up. If serving as a side dish, serve with a lemon wedge for squeezing or drizzle with vinaigrette. If using in other recipes, scoop the flesh from the skin with a spoon.