Day 296 - Eggplant Transplant

Purple flower before it dies and develops purple fruit

Eggplant fruit

Plant about 30 inches tall.

This summer I started Mr Eggplant from seed. He was happy in the herb planter until the wind  and cold came along. They thrive in warm weather. I transplanted him inside to see how he will get along inside. If successful I'm going to try (or I should say, my husband Patrick will try ;) the recipe below.

Roasted Eggplant Spread

This is not only good, it's good for you. Many years ago we developed a group of recipes that have almost no fat for customers who like to save their calories for dessert. I love to serve this alongside other Mediterranean specialties, such as hummus, pita bread, Greek olives, feta cheese, and stuffed grape leaves.

1 medium eggplant, peeled
2 red bell peppers, seeded
1 red onion, peeled
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Cut the eggplant, bell pepper, and onion into 1-inch cubes. Toss them in a large bowl with the garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes, until the vegetables are lightly browned and soft, tossing once during cooking. Cool slightly.

Place the vegetables in a food processor fitted with a steel blade, add the tomato paste, and pulse 3 or 4 times to blend.

Taste for salt and pepper.

Serve with toasted pita triangles or crackers.

Day 282 - WELCOME

O beautiful mum

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty 

never grows old.    -Franz Kafka

Playful and warm, a sign to greet family and friends into your home. I found
W in a fence rail
E in an emergency escape ladder over vines.
L in a cracked stone wall.
C in my garden of forget-me-knots.
O in with the mums.
M at the library's bike rack.
and
E in garden art.

Order my Welcome Sign