How to Make Fried Eggplant and Green Peppers
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
- 6 Italian eggplants (about 2 pounds)
- 4 tablespoons salt
- 6 medium Italian green peppers
- 2 cups light olive oil or vegetable oil
- 6 fresh Italian parsley sprigs
- 1 recipe Yogurt-Garlic Sauce
Tomato Sauce
- 1 tablespoon virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded and finely chopped ( 1 ½ cups)
Method
- Cut the stems off the eggplants, then peel off half the skin in alternating lengthwise strips to create a striped effect. Cut the eggplants into ½ -inch-thick slices crosswise or diagonally or lengthwise, so you have pieces of different shapes. Add the salt to 2 quarts cold water. Soak the eggplant slices in the salted water for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the tomato sauce. Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan, and cook the garlic, stirring it with a wooden spoon, until it’s softened but not brown, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, cover the saucepan, and cook gently for 2 more minutes. Set aside the sauce.
- Remove the eggplant slices from the water with a slotted spoon, and pat them dry with paper towels. Dry the whole green peppers well also.
- Heat 1 cup of the oil in a frying pan over medium heat. It is important that the oil be hot enough (about 350—365°F) so the eggplant does not become greasy. To test the hot oil, dip a piece of eggplant into the oil, taking care not to burn yourself—if the oil sizzles, it’s ready. Fry the eggplant slices on both sides until they are light brown, about 2 minutes. Do not crowd them in the pan. Remove them from the oil and put them to drain on paper towels. Add more oil to the pan as needed.
