Eggplant "Meatball-Like" Parmesan Heroes

Eggplant "Meatball-Like" 

Parmesan Heroes 

SOOOOO DELICIOUS

So delicious and affordable for your family you will be making it at least once a month 

Ingredients:

For The "Meatballs:"

• 1 1/2  Eggplant 
• 1/3 Cup Diced Red onion
• 3 Garlic Cloves Minced or Pureed 
• 1 Tbsp Pitted, chopped green olives
• 1/4 Cup Diced Bell Pepper (I use red)
• 1/2 Tbsp Vinegar
• 1 Tbsp Chives 
• 1 Tbsp Oil (EVOO, Corn or Canola)
• 1Tsp Oregano (DR if available)
• 1 1/2 cups of uncooked oatmeal
• 1 Tbsp Adobo or your favorite all purpose seasoning (adjust to taste)
• 2/3 Cups flour (seasoned lightly with 1 tsp each of: adobo, chives, and oregano)
• 1/4 Cups Grated Parmesan Cheese

For The Saute:

• 1&1/2 Tbsp Tomato Paste
• 1 Tbsp Olives
• 2 Tbsp Oil (EVOO, Corn, or Canola)
• 1/2 an Onion 
• 1 & 1/2 Cup your favorite marinara sauce

Cheeses:

1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese

1/2 Pound Provolone Cheese (3 Slices Provolone Cheese for Each Hero) 1/2 pound Mozzarella Cheese 

Bread:

4 Heroes split in half

According To Darlene The Gourmet Diva:

1. In a large bowl Peel, thinly slice and soak eggplant in 2tbsp salt water for approximately 1 hour to get the bitter flavor out of the fruit
2. Manually squeeze the excess water from eggplant and set aside 
3. Heat oil in medium sized skillet (Caldero)
4. Add onions, garlic,vinegar, olives, oregano, peppers,and 1tbsp of adobo
5. Stir vigorously  
6. Once veggies become translucent add well drained eggplant to pan 
7. Incorporate all veggies well 
8. Allow eggplant to cook for approximately 20 minutes over medium low heat you will know its ready when the eggplant is tender and forms a paste-like consistency
9. Quickly add oatmeal, chives, additional adobo and stir well until most of the oatmeal starts to cook (approximately 5 minutes)
10. Remove from heat and set aside (Mixture will cool and will rise naturally due to the oatmeal)
11. Once cooled, season flour 
12. Add Parmesan cheese to Eggplant mix 
13. Form Tbsp sized balls using flour to coat the outside of each ball with your CLEAN hands
14. Heat oil
15. Start adding "meatballs" side by side avoid overcrowding pan  Allow to brown on both sides remember they are already cooked (see image above)
16. Carefully remove and set aside
17. Create a stir fry with sliced onions, peppers, olives, tomato paste and same oil add marinara sauce and stir well
18. Slice open your heroes
19. Place desired amount of eggplant in each 
20. Pour Sauce over eggplant
21. Top with Parmesan Cheese then provolone, finally mozzarella cheese and then some chives
22. Bake in toaster oven or broiler (375 Degrees) until cheese is bubbly and melted

Enjoy with fries, salad, or chips