Delicious Roasted Eggplant

Why I like this:

One word: Delicious!

But, I can’t resist adding a few more words to highlight the health benefits of eggplant (which technically is a fruit but is widely considered a vegetable). Eggplants, for few calories, provide several minerals and vitamins, as well as a good amount of fiber. Eggplants have manganese (aids in activating enzymes involved in metabolism), folate (important for new cell formation), potassium (maintains the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance), and Vitamins K (aids in making blood-clotting proteins, and is important for bone health) and C (contains antioxidants and aids in the making of collagen). They are high in antioxidants to boot!

Delicious Roasted Eggplant 

Ingredients:

1 small graffiti eggplant

olive oil to brush on the eggplant

a pinch or two of sea salt to sprinkle on eggplant

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 Tbsp. dried oregano

1/2 Tbsp. dried basil

Steps:

1) Wash and slice the eggplant into quarters. Place the slices on a baking sheet and sprinkle with a pinch or 2 of sea salt. Remove the slices from the baking sheet and place them in a colander in the sink for about 30 minutes.

2) Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

3) Rinse the slices, pat dry, place back on the baking sheet, and brush all over with olive oil.

4) Sprinkle the garlic powder, oregano, and basil over the slices.

5) Roast in the oven for 15 minutes or until soft (larger eggplants will take longer).