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 Time10minutes
Cook Time45minutes
Total Time55minutes
Ingredients
1large eggplant cut in 1-inch cubes
1red bell pepper cut in 1-inch strips
1red onion cut in 1-inch strips
2Tolive oil
½teas salt
½teas black pepper
6clovesof garlic
Cooking spray
12-15leavesof fresh basil
¼cupof fresh curly parsley
1Tolive oil
2Ttomato paste
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400
In a large mixing bowl, combine eggplant, red bell pepper, onion, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper
Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray and spread contents of mixing bowl over it evenly.
Place baking sheet in oven and cook for 45 minutes, tossing halfway through.
Remove baking sheet from oven and transfer veggies to a bowl to let cool*.
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.