Italian Roasted Veg Salad

🍆 Roasted Eggplant and Pepper Salad Recipe 🌶️

🕒 Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes

🍽️ Servings: 4

📖 Description:
Elevate your culinary experience with this tantalizing Roasted Eggplant and Pepper Salad. Bursting with vibrant flavors and boasting an Italian twist, this dish is not only a delightful side but also a perfect appetizer paired with chips and crackers. It falls under the European culinary realm and caters to various dietary needs, being low in protein, vegan, low in cholesterol, and taking less than 4 hours to prepare.

📋 Ingredients:

• 2 eggplants
• 2 green bell peppers
• 2 red bell peppers
• 8 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

🌟 Nutritional Information per Serving:

• Calories: 691.4
• Fat Content: 29.7g
  • Saturated Fat: 4.1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg
• Sodium: 1533.5mg
• Carbohydrates: 92.1g
  • Fiber: 14.1g
  • Sugar: 12.5g
• Protein: 15.5g

⭐ Aggregated Rating: 5 (from 2 reviews)

🔪 Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

   • Position the oven rack in the top third and preheat to 450 degrees.

2. Prepare Baking Sheet:

   • Spray a large, heavy baking sheet with cooking spray.

3. Vegetable Toss:

   • In a spacious bowl, combine eggplants, green and red bell peppers, garlic, and olive oil. Toss the ingredients well to ensure an even coating.

4. Bake Vegetables:

   • Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet. Bake until the eggplant achieves a beautiful brown hue, and the peppers turn tender. Stir every 10 minutes to guarantee an even roast.

5. Prepare Dressing:

   • Save the roasted garlic for the dressing. In a food processor, combine red wine vinegar, cumin, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Peel the roasted garlic, add it to the food processor, and puree until smooth.

6. Toss with Dressing:

   • Toss the roasted vegetables with 1/4 cup of the prepared dressing.

7. Let Flavors Develop:

   • Allow the salad to cool and sit for a while, letting the flavors develop.

8. Serve in Style:

   • When ready to serve, bring the salad to room temperature. Mound the flavorful creation in the center of a large platter.

9. Perfect Pairing:

   • Serve this delightful Roasted Eggplant and Pepper Salad with pita wedges for a complete and satisfying experience.

🌈 Customization Tips:
Feel free to experiment with additional herbs, such as fresh basil or parsley, to add an extra layer of freshness. For a tangier kick, squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the salad just before serving.

Indulge in the symphony of flavors as the rich, roasted eggplant harmonizes with the sweet bell peppers, all dressed in the luscious Italian dressing. This culinary masterpiece is not just a salad; it’s an experience that tickles your taste buds and leaves you craving more. Whether served as a side or the star of the show, this Roasted Eggplant and Pepper Salad is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, earning its well-deserved 5-star rating. Bon appétit! 🌟