Freezer Friendly Eggplant Meatballs

Serve your eggplant balls as you would any meatball. They can easily be served

with pasta or rice to make up a more substantial meal, but also taste great on their own! However you choose to serve them, they will taste amazing!

Freezer Friendly Eggplant Meatballs [Vegan]

Ingredients

• 1 pound eggplant unpeeled, and cut into 1 inch chunks
• 1/2 medium onion diced
• 8 ounces of mushrooms cleaned and sliced
• 1 - 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley you can also use 1 1/2 tablespoons dried parsley
• other herbs as desired I tend to keep mine neutral flavored
• bread crumbs
• red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper to taste
• olive oil

Preparation

1. In a large dutch oven, saute the onions and garlic in a small amount of olive oil seasoned with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
2. Add the eggplant and mushrooms when the onions take on a golden color. Season with salt and pepper. Add 1/4 cup of water and reduce the heat. Continue to cook, covered, until the eggplant has softened, about 15 minutes.
3. Allow the mixture to cool slightly then, working in batches as necessary, use a food processor to finely chop and blend the ingredients. You don't want large chunks, but you don't want a puree, either.
4. As the mix is processed, transfer it to a large mixing bowl and add the parsley and enough breadcrumbs to make a mix that can be formed into balls.
5. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
6. Form the mix into any size balls you like.
7. Unlike conventional meatballs, these freeze better if cooked first. Cook them at 400°F for 25 minutes or until they've browned and firmed up. They tend to stick, so use a lot of oil or a silicone mat.
8. After the meatballs have cooled, place them in the freezer for at least an hour, no need to remover them from the baking tray if it fits. Then transfer them to freezer bags or containers for long term storage.

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-recipe/freezer-friendly-eggplant-meatballs-vegan/