# @cooking_with_rocco on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DHLiFcBxxcu
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/33771509-cooking-with-rocco-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/b57d346ac0.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-03-14T12:44:24.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Rocco Gizzo | 🍝 Italian Cuisine (@cooking_with_rocco) — https://gondola.cc/cooking_with_rocco

## Caption

🐰 Lent Ep. 2: Eggplant Polpette (or Eggplant Meatballs) | Whether you’re following lent or just love a good meatless recipe, you’ve come to the right place! These Eggplant Polpette will fool any meat lover!

2 medium eggplants 
1 whole garlic bulb, roasted
1 egg
1/2 sweet onion, grated or blended
1/3 cup Parmigiano Reggiano 
1/4 cup fresh parsley 
1/4 cup pine nuts 
1/2 tbsp Calabrian chili paste 
1.5 tsp fennel seeds
1.5 tsp coriander seeds
1/2 tsp anise seeds
Salt & Pepper 
Breadcrumbs, as needed 

Your favorite pomodoro sauce
Fresh basil
Parm or Pecorino 
EVOO

Preheat your oven to 400°. Peel and dice the eggplant. Then drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt & pepper. Roast the eggplant and the garlic for 45 minutes. 

Blend or grate the onion. Then transfer to a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove any excess water. Then set aside. 

In a small skillet, toast the pine nuts, fennel, coriander, and anise. Once toasted, grind it up. 

When the eggplant is done, add it to a large bowl along with the garlic. Then add the remaining ingredients. Mix until combined, lightly squeeze the eggplant so it mushes together. As you mix, add breadcrumbs 1/4 cup at a time until you can form little balls. 

Transfer the polpette to a baking sheet, and let them sit in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. Then bake at 400° for 15 to 20 minutes. 

Plate the Polpette over your favorite pomodoro sauce. Then top with fresh basil, a generous sprinkle of cheese, and a drizzle of EVOO. 

#meatlessrecipes #eggplantmeatballs #eggplantrecipes #healthyrecipes #cleaneating #meatballrecipes #italianfood #italiancooking #easyitalianrecipes

## Stats

- **Views:** 14,592
- **Likes:** 1,107
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 138

## Tags

healthyrecipes, eggplantmeatballs, italiancooking, easyitalianrecipes, cleaneating, italianfood, meatlessrecipes, eggplantrecipes, meatballrecipes

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