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Roasted Eggplant and Red Pepper Spread – Healthy Italian Appetizers | Healthy Eats by Jennie

Roasted Eggplant and Red Pepper Spread

I have to say that this is probably now one of my top favorite Healthy Italian Appetizers! I think if I had this at a restaurant, I would definitely go back for this! This tastes delicious with Italian Bread. There is this amazing chain of hoagie stores in Philadelphia (also extending around the east coast), Primos (if you are familiar with the Philadelphia area, we call subs / sandwiches on a long roll hoagies in Philadelphia). Their rolls are amazing! Did you know that you can get a loaf of Italian bread there? I just recently discovered this, and I got us a loaf, and paired it with this amazing Healthy Italian Appetizer! This would be perfect to bring or make for a dinner party. Enjoy!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mediterranean
Keyword vegetarian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 large eggplant cut in 1-inch cubes
  • 1 red bell pepper cut in 1-inch strips
  • 1 red onion cut in 1-inch strips
  • 2 T olive oil
  • ½ teas salt
  • ½ teas black pepper
  • 6 cloves of garlic
  • Cooking spray
  • 12-15 leaves of fresh basil
  • ¼ cup of fresh curly parsley
  • 1 T olive oil
  • 2 T tomato paste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggplant, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper
  3. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray and spread contents of mixing bowl over it evenly.
  4. Place baking sheet in oven and cook for 45 minutes, tossing halfway through.
  5. Remove baking sheet from oven and transfer veggies to a bowl to let cool*.
  6. Place roasted veggies, basil, parsley, 1 T olive oil, and tomato paste in a food processor, and process for about a minute.

Recipe Notes

You can even roast the veggies ahead of time, place in the refrigerator overnight and then finish up in the food processor the next day.