Eggplant Lasagna Rolls

EGGPLANT AND PINE NUT LASAGNA ROLLS

Source: Vegan Yum Yum 

Ingredients:
Lasagna Noodles
1 Eggplant
Olive Oil
Salt
Black Pepper
2+ Cups Marinara Sauce
2 Slices Bread, toasted (or prepared breadcrumbs)

Pine Nut Filling
1 Cup Pine Nuts
1 Tbs Water
1/2 tsp White Wine Vinegar, or lemon juice
1 tsp Dried Italian Herbs
1/4 – 1/2 tsp Salt

Additional Options:
1/3 Cup of Sun Dried tomatoes to pine nut spread
1 Cup of sautéed spinach when filling
fresh baby spinach leaves when filling
1 Cup of sautéed mushrooms when filling
strips of sautéed summer squash when filling

Directions:
Boil noodles in salted water until al dente. Drain and lay out the noodles on a cookie sheet, lightly spraying with oil so that they do not stick. Set aside.

Peel eggplant. I find the easiest way to do this is to cut off both ends and use the edge provided to get your vegetable peeler started. I’ve found it difficult to get the peeler to cut the skin otherwise.

Place the eggplant upright on the cutting board. Slice the eggplant in long, thin vertical slices. Then slice each of these in half again, also vertically. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

In a large non-stick or cast-iron skillet, begin browning the eggplant strips in olive oil, 2-3 Tbs a batch (or more). When strips are very tender and nicely browned on both sides, set aside.

In the hot skillet you cooked the eggplant in, add the pine nuts. Toast the pine nuts over medium-low heat until golden brown, being careful not to burn. Add the pine nuts to the work bowl of a food processor. Grind the nuts as well as you can, then add the remaining ingredients for the pine nut spread. Process until well combined.
Toast the bread and process into breadcrumbs.

Preheat oven to 400º F.

Assembly

Spread a little pine nut spread onto each noodle. You don’t need a lot, it’s very rich! Add eggplant strips, as well as any other filling.

Roll up each noodle and place in your baking dish(es) seam-side down. Cover generously with sauce.

Top with breadcrumbs and bake for 20-25 minutes. Since everything is already cooked, they just need to heat up and slightly brown. If you’re baking them in individual gratin dishes as shown here, place all the dishes on a baking sheet for easier removal from the oven. Serve immediately!