Name: Spaghetti & eggplant ‘meatballs’
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1 medium (300g) eggplant, peeled, chopped coarsely; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for shallow-frying; 400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed; 1 small (100g) red onion, chopped finely; 2 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves; 1 cup (80g) finely grated parmesan, plus ⅓ cup (25g) extra; 1½ cups (150g) packaged breadcrumbs; 375g spaghetti; 700g bottled tomato pasta sauce; 2 tablespoons small fresh basil leaves

Ingredients

1 medium (300g) eggplant, peeled, chopped coarsely

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for shallow-frying

400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed

1 small (100g) red onion, chopped finely

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves

1 cup (80g) finely grated parmesan, plus ⅓ cup (25g) extra

1½ cups (150g) packaged breadcrumbs

375g spaghetti

700g bottled tomato pasta sauce

2 tablespoons small fresh basil leaves

Method

Step 1

Preheat oven to 200°C/180°C fan. Line an oven tray with baking paper.

Step 2

Place eggplant on tray and drizzle with olive oil. Roast for 25 minutes or until golden and tender.

Step 3

Process eggplant, chickpeas, onion, garlic, rosemary and parmesan until combined. Season. Add 1 cup breadcrumbs, pulsing until combined. Roll level tablespoons of eggplant mixture into 24 balls. Roll eggplant balls in the remaining breadcrumbs to coat.

Step 4

Heat extra olive oil in a large frying pan. Shallow-fry eggplant balls, in batches, for 2 minutes or until golden and heated through. Drain on a paper towel.

Step 5

Meanwhile, cook pasta in a large saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender; drain. Return to pan to keep warm.

Step 6

Bring sauce to the boil in a large frying pan. Add eggplant balls and simmer until heated through. Season to taste.

Step 7

Serve pasta topped with eggplant ‘meatballs’ and sauce. Sprinkle with extra parmesan and basil.

Suitable to freeze.

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