Rachael's Sicilian-Style Roasted Peppers and Eggplant
Eggplant-stuffed peppers make the most of both vegetables.
Ingredients
- 1 large to 2 medium eggplant
- Salt
- 6 large Italian red frying peppers or field peppers (large peppers similar to bell peppers but more rectangular in shape)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus 2 tablespoons
- 5 to 6 flat anchovy fillets
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped or thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon Calabrian chili paste or 1 1/2 teaspoons dried chili flakes
- 3 tablespoons capers in brine, drained
- 4 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped, or 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon (1/3 palmful) dried oregano
- A handful basil leaves, torn
- 1 1/2 cups (about 6 ounces) diced ricotta salata
- 1 cup large homemade breadcrumbs, toasted, or panko
- 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- A handful flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Preparation
Peel half the skin from the eggplant and cut into bite-size pieces. Salt and drain on kitchen towels for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with EVOO, 4 turns of the pan. Add anchovies and melt them into the oil; add eggplant and cook to light golden, 7-8 minutes. Add garlic, chili paste or flakes, and capers, toss 2 minutes more, then add tomatoes and oregano and toss another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool to room temp. Add the basil and ricotta salata.
Fill peppers with the eggplant mixture, mounding them up a bit. Arrange in a casserole dish.
Combine breadcrumbs, grated cheese and parsley in a small bowl. Moisten with 2 tablespoons EVOO. Top peppers with breadcrumbs then transfer to oven. Cook 20-30 minutes and serve.