In honor of National Sandwich Month, here is a recipe to use some of the many varieties of eggplant that you're finding at your local farmers' market or in your own backyard garden. Eggplant is a native fruit of India and is a member of the nightshade family, related to the tomato and the potato. It can be grilled, roasted or fried and is relatively low in calories in it's raw state (20 calories to one cup cubed).
- Yield: 2 servings (serving size: 1 sandwich)
- Prep time:40 Minutes
Ingredients
- 8 (1/2-inch-thick) eggplant slices
- 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 4 (1-ounce) slices ciabatta bread
- 2 tablespoons refrigerated pesto
- 1 cup baby arugula
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup (2 ounces) soft goat cheese (try AgriMissouri member Baetje Farms)
Preparation
1. Preheat broiler.2. Arrange eggplant slices in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush both sides of eggplant with 1 teaspoon oil. Cut bell pepper in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membrane. Arrange bell pepper halves, skin sides up, on baking sheet with eggplant; flatten with hand. Broil 4 minutes; turn eggplant over (do not turn bell pepper over). Broil an additional 4 minutes; remove eggplant from pan. Broil bell pepper an additional 7 minutes or until blackened. Place bell pepper in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand for 15 minutes; peel and discard skin.3. Broil bread slices for 2 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once. Spread 1 tablespoon pesto on each of 2 bread slices. Layer each bread slice, pesto side up, with 2 eggplant slices, 1 bell pepper half, and 2 eggplant slices. Toss arugula with remaining 1 teaspoon oil and black pepper; divide arugula mixture evenly between sandwiches. Spread 2 tablespoons goat cheese over each of 2 remaining bread slices; place, cheese side down, on sandwiches.
Nutritional Information-Amount per serving
- Calories: 395
- Fat: 20.4g
- Saturated fat: 6.4g
- Monounsaturated fat: 11.6g
- Polyunsaturated fat: 1.4g
- Protein: 14g
- Carbohydrate: 43.1g
- Fiber: 6.7g
- Cholesterol: 18mg
- Iron: 3.5mg
- Sodium: 635mg
- Calcium: 108mg
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