Eggplant Tacos With Roasted Poblanos & Caramelized Onions

Recipe & Pic from Cowgirl Chef

Who says summer is over?? We can keep pretending a little bit longer with this recipe that makes the most of the wee bit of hot-season crops in your box this week! Try adding in some cumin-spiced roasted potatoes and/or some lightly scrambled eggs for a more filling result.

2 large onions, cut into half-moons

6 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus a bit more for spinach

salt and pepper to taste

1 eggplant, chopped into 1-inch cubes

1 poblano pepper

Salsa Verde, for serving

lime wedges, for serving

cilantro, for serving

6 to 8 corn tortillas

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Toss the eggplant cubes on a large baking sheet with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Salt and pepper the eggplant. Bake until browned, for about 40 minutes, turning over once.

While the eggplant’s cooking, caramelize your onions. Put the onions along with 2 tablespoons (you’ll add 2 more as these cook down) of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low to low heat. Cook slowly, for about 45 minutes, allowing the onions to gradually brown. Add oil and salt and pepper as you go. (Save time: Make this in advance and refrigerate until you’re ready to make tacos.)

Roast the poblano pepper. If you have a gas stovetop, simply put the poblano on the grill, and let the flame burn the skin, turning with tongs so you roast all sides. If you don’t have a gas stovetop, this will also work under the broiler. After all sides are equally charred, put the pepper in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to cool. Then, simply scrape off the charred bits, slice the pepper open, and remove the seeds. Once cool, slice into thin strips.

Toast as many tortillas as you need over the open flame and serve. Layer: eggplant, a few strips of poblano, and some caramelized onions . Top with Salsa Verde and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Lentils With Roasted Eggplant & Tomatoes

Recipe & Pic From Vanilla & Bean

1 eggplant

1 Cup French Lentils or Puy

3 1/4 C Water

20 oz Cherry Tomatos (or slicers cut into chunks)

1 Bayleaf

2 Tbs Olive Oil extra virgin + more for drizzling if desired

2 1/2 Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice about 1/2 a lemon + more for serving

3 Plump Cloves of Garlic crushed and minced

1/2 tsp Dried Oregano

1/4 + 1/8 tsp Red Pepper Flakes

3/4 - 1 tsp Fine Sea Salt

3 Tbs Fresh Chopped Parsley

1/2 C (155g) Greek Yogurt or coconut cream for serving

Fresh Ground Pepper

Preheat oven to 475F (248C). Using the tines of a fork, prick eggplant about eight times all around. Set the eggplant on an unlined sheet pan and roast on the highest rack for about one hour or until the eggplant is soft and slightly chard. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile arrange the cherry tomatoes (or slicer chunks) on a parchment lined sheet pan. During the last 12-13 minutes of eggplant roasting, place the tomatoes on the lower oven rack and roast until the tomatoes are burst and slightly charred. About 13 minutes.

While the eggplant is roasting, add the lentils to a medium sauce pot. Pour in the water and add a bayleaf with a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil then turn the heat to low, simmering for about 25-30 minutes. The lentils should be tender, not mushy, and there should be a few tablespoons of liquid left. Remove the bayleaf, lid, remove from heat and set aside.

Once cool enough to handle, slice the eggplant open and scrape out the flesh. Spoon the flesh and any roasting juices into the pot of lentils along with the roasted tomatoes and all their juices.

To the pot of lentils and veggies add the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, oregano, pepper flakes, sea salt and parsley. Stir. Heat on low for just a few minutes to warm through. Add a few twists of fresh ground pepper. Stir and taste for salt adjustment.

Spoon into serving bowls and share with yogurt or coconut cream, ground pepper, fresh parsley and lemon wedges on the side.

Store in lidded containers in the refrigerator for up to three days, or in the freezer for up to two weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and gently rewarm on the stovetop.

Recipe: Simple Eggplant Stirfry With Shishitos

from Farm Fresh To You

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 eggplant, cubed

1 teaspoon sesame oil

About 4oz shishito peppers, ends removed

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons ginger, peeled and chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

handful cashews or peanuts (optional)

Heat the sesame oil in a large saute pan over high heat. Saute the shishito peppers for 5 minutes, or until beginning to blister. Add the eggplant and cook for 5 minutes, or until beginning to soften.

Add the soy sauce, water, garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for 1 minute, stirring to incorporate.

Serve over brown rice and garnish with cashews or peanuts (optional). Top with more soy sauce if desired.

Recipe: Roasted Eggplant & Fennel Salad

From Kitchen Princess
Roasted Italian Frying Peppers and Tomatoes would make a great addition to this salad!

1 medium-sized eggplant
1 large fennel bulb
2 garlic cloves or 3 small ones, whole and still wrapped in skin
3 Tbs of chopped herbs of your choice (optional)
1 Tbs chopped scallions
2 Tbs pine nuts
1 tsp cumin
1 dash paprika
Salt and pepper
¼ cup + 1 Tbs olive oil
1 Tbs sesame oil
1 Tbs lemon juice

Preheat your oven to 400. Cut the eggplant into one inch cubes and add to a large bowl, toss with 1/4 cup olive oil and salt (large rock salt if you have it). Slice the fennel into thin fronds by slicing it in half first and ensuring each slice has a piece of the core to hold it together, like you would slice an orange. Add this to the bowl of eggplant and toss with the paprika and cumin and the whole garlic.

Spread the fennel, eggplant and garlic on a baking sheet or large roasting pan in a single layer, adding any extra oil on top. Bake for 20-25 minutes just as the eggplant and fennel are starting to brown.

While the veggies are roasting, make the salad. Add the chopped herbs, scallions and pine puts to a large bowl. In a small bowl mix 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1 Tablespoon sesame oil and 1 Tablespoon lemon juice with some salt and pepper and set aside.

When the eggplant and fennel are sufficiently slightly browned, take them out of the oven to cool. Take the roasted garlic and squeeze out each clove (2-3) into the oil and lemon mixture. It should have the consistency of a paste. Whisk vigorously with a fork and taste, adding more oil or salt if necessary. Add the eggplant and fennel to the bowl of herbs and nuts and toss with the dressing.

Recipe: Roasted Eggplant & Zucchini Salad With Basil Vinaigrette

from Kale & Caramel

Roasted Eggplant & Zucchini

1-2 small-medium zucchini

1-2 small-medium eggplants

1/4 cup + olive oil

1 teaspoon + sea salt

fresh cracked pepper to taste

Basil Vinaigrette & Toppings

1 cup fresh basil leaves

1/4 cup olive oil

1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 tomato sliced (or few cherry tomatoes)

Preheat oven to 400ºWash and trim the ends off zucchini and eggplant. Slice lengthwise, about 1/4″ width. Lay slices on two baking sheets.

Sprinkle a few pinches of salt over eggplant only, and rub in. Let sit 5-10 minutes, then gently squeeze water from eggplant with paper towel. Replace on baking sheet.

Drizzle veggies with olive oil, sprinkle zucchini only with sea salt, crack pepper over all.

Roast veggies for 10 minutes, then remove eggplant that is done and let zucchini roast 3-5 minutes longer. Remove from oven and let cool.

For the dressing, add basil, olive oil, lemon juice, and sea salt to a blender and blend until the basil is in small flecks.

Assemble salad by tossing roasted veggies with slices of tomato. Drizzle with 

Recipe: Summer Harvest Ratatouille

adapted from Dishing Up The Dirt

This recipe is the perfect way to use up FIVE of the items in your box this week all in one classic dish!

3 Tablespoons olive oil

1 bunch of scallions, diced, white and light green parts only

4 cloves of garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

1 small eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 1 cup)

1 small summer squash or zucchini, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (about 2 1/2 cups)

1 anaheim pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips

1 pint cherry tomatoes, some sliced in half others left whole or

2 heirloom tomatoes, coarsely chopped, about 3/4 of a cup worth

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped

8 ounces rigatoni pasta

fresh parmesan for serving

Salt + pepper for serving

Over medium-low heat add the olive oil to a large skillet with the scallions, garlic and bay leaf. Stir often until the vegetables soften a bit and become fragrant. About 3 minutes.

Add the eggplant and cook, stirring occasionally until the eggplant has softened. About 5 minutes. Stir in the summer squash/zucchini, Anaheim pepper, cherry tomatoes or heirloom tomatoes and salt. Increase the heat to medium and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes.  Reduce the heat to low and continue to cook for about 10 minutes. Stir in the chopped basil.

While the vegetables simmer for the last 10 minutes bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 5-7 minutes (cooking times will vary depending on your specific pasta so look at the suggested cooking time on the label)

Drain the pasta and add it to the simmering vegetables. Stir well and divide the pasta between plates. Top with freshly grated parmesan cheese and a few pinches of salt + pepper.