Eggplant Rollatini

Serves 4 - serve with pasta

• 2 large eggplants, sliced vertically into ¼-inch-thick planks

• Sea salt

• Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

• 4 cups Marinara Sauce (2.5 for the baking dish and 1.5 cups for the pasta)

• Pine nuts, for sprinkling (optional, don't add a lot of flavour to the dish)

• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Filling*

• 2 cups 16 ounces whole milk ricotta cheese

• ¼ cup grated pecorino cheese

• 2 garlic cloves, grated

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon lemon zest

• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, plus more for sprinkling

• ½ teaspoon sea salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Arrange the eggplant planks on a clean kitchen towel and sprinkle with salt. Set aside for 20 minutes to draw moisture out of the eggplant.

3. Pat the eggplant dry and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Drizzle generously with olive oil, toss to coat, and arrange in a single layer on the baking sheets. Roast for 20 minutes, or until tender and golden brown (but don't burn!), flipping the eggplant and rotating the pans halfway through.

4. Meanwhile, make the filling*: In a large bowl, stir together the ricotta, pecorino, garlic, oregano, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, salt, and several grinds of pepper.

5. Assemble the rollatini. Spread the marinara sauce in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Scoop about 2 tablespoons of the filling onto the end of one of the roasted eggplant slices and roll to seal. Place seam side down in the prepared baking dish. Repeat with the remaining filling and eggplant slices.

6. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes, or until the eggplant is soft.

7. Sprinkle with pine nuts and red pepper flakes, garnish with fresh basil, and serve.

Notes

* For a vegan alternative to the ricotta filling, pulse these ingredients in a food processor until creamy (makes 2 cups):

• 1 (14-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, drained

• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

• 1 tablespoon lemon zest

• 2 garlic cloves

• 1 teaspoon sea salt

• ½ teaspoon dried oregano

• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes