Grilled Eggplant 'Caponata' Sandwiches

HomeClinics & ProgramsELLICSR KitchenGrilled Eggplant 'Caponata' Sandwiches

Skill Level	Easy

Preparation Time	15 minutes	Total Time	25 minutes
Servings	10	Cost Per Serving	$0.87

2	Large Eggplant, cut into 1/4 inch slices
1/4 cup	Sundried Tomatoes
1 tbsp	Capers
2 tbsp	Walnuts
2 cloves	Garlic
2 tsp	Orange Zest
1 cup	Parsley
1/2 cup	Red Onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup	Fennel, thinly sliced
2 tbsp	Vinegar (plain white vinegar, or any wine vinegars will work)
1/2 cup	Scamorza Cheese (this is similar to a smoked mozzarella but you can use your favorite cheese)
1 tbsp	Extra Virgin Olive Oil
To taste	Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

In a bowl, dress the fennel and red onion with vinegar and a pinch of salt, mix well and set aside.
Place the sundried tomatoes, capers, walnuts, garlic, orange zest, parsley and olive oil in a food processor and pulse until smooth but still slightly chunky. Season to taste.
Spread about 1 tablespoon of the pesto over an eggplant slice, top with some of the fennel and onion slices and top that with some of the cheese, put another slice of eggplant on top to make the sandwich.
Now you can cook them in a grill pan over medium high heat and place a another pan or pan lid on top of the sandwiches to squish them down. Cook about 3 minutes per side, just until the cheese melts and the eggplant is golden brown.
Or you can place this in the oven under the broiler and cook for about 6 minutes, flip half way through.

PDF link to nutrition facts table for Grilled Eggplant 'Caponata' Sandwiches

These tea sandwiches are a delicious way to get vegetables on the menu at your next gathering. Eggplant brings a meaty texture to your recipes but has only 35 calories in 1 cup.
The purple skin of the eggplant is rich in a plant nutrient called nasunin. Nasunin acts as an antioxidant, helping to protect healthy cells from free radical damage. In animal studies, nasunin was shown to protect brain cells from damage.
Free radicals are formed as a result of cigarette smoke, pollution, and everyday functions in the body. Eating plenty of vegetables and fruits in a variety of colours will help you get the antioxidants you need for good health and to lower your risk of diseases such as cancer.
Walnuts are an excellent source of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. Vitamin E also helps to strengthen the immune system so it can fight off illness and infection. Eating nuts regularly may also help prevent heart disease. In one study, men who ate nuts twice a week cut their risk of heart disease nearly in half!