Grilled or Fried Eggplants
(Melanzane alla Griglia o Fritte - Milinciani Arrustuti o Fritti)
Grilled or fried eggplants can be served as part of the appetizers, or as a side dish, or to stuff Italian bread for an exceptional sandwich. It is a very convenient dish because it can be prepared in advance. Just add salt and peppers and enjoy!
- Serving Size4 to 6
- Sicilian Appetizers
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants
- ¾ cup olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
THE EGGPLANTS
Wash eggplants, remove stalks and slice horizontally with the skin still on, about ½ inch thick. Remove excess skin from first and last slice of each eggplant. Place eggplants in a colander, salt lightly and set aside for 20 minutes. Rinse the sliced eggplant and drain for a few minutes. Gently pat dry with a clean dish towel or paper towels.
TO GRILL
Brush both sides with oil and grill the eggplant slices until tender, about 7 minutes on each side or until tender. If a grill is not available, use your oven set to 400 degrees, cooking for 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until tender.
TO FRY
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the eggplants in the hot oil a few slices at a time. Fry 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
THE SERVING
Place cooked eggplant in a serving dish and, if you prefer, drizzle with a mixture of olive oil, a hint of fresh garlic and a few drops of vinegar. Garnish with mint leaves and serve immediately.