This vibrant Mediterranean stuffed vegetable recipe combines the best of summer produce into a spectacular dish that’s both visually stunning and incredibly flavorful. Perfect for warm evenings when you’re craving something hearty and fresh, this recipe transforms simple vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and potatoes into a restaurant-worthy meal. The combination of aromatic herbs, melted cheese, and perfectly seasoned breadcrumbs creates a dish that’s ideal as a vegetarian main course or as a side dish for grilled meats and fish.
Ingredients
For the vegetables:
1 large eggplant (about 300 g / 10.5 oz)
1 medium zucchini (about 250 g / 9 oz)
2 large tomatoes (about 300 g / 10.5 oz)
1 large potato (about 200 g / 7 oz)
1 medium red onion (about 150 g / 5.3 oz)
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt for serving
For the topping:
Read more on the next page
50 g (1 1/2 oz / 1/2 cup) breadcrumbs
30 g (1 oz / 1/3 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
100 g (3.5 oz / 1 cup) grated mozzarella or mixed cheese
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon Italian herb mix
3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Salt to taste
Instructions
Vegetable Preparation
Step 1: Thoroughly wash the eggplant and cut it into thick rounds about 2 cm thick. Sprinkle generously with salt on both sides and place it on a large plate or cutting board. Let it rest for 15 minutes to release its bitterness. This salting also helps improve the texture when cooked.
Step 2: While the eggplant rests, prepare the remaining vegetables. Wash the zucchini and cut it into rounds the same thickness as the eggplant. Their uniform size ensures even cooking.
Step 3: Wash the tomatoes and cut them into thick slices, removing the top and bottom pieces. Reserve these pieces for garnish if desired, or save them for another use.
Step 4: Peel the potato and cut it into slightly thicker slices than the other vegetables, about 2.5 cm (1 inch) thick, as potatoes take longer to cook.
Step 5: Peel the red onion and cut it into thick slices. Keep them intact for the stuffing. Carefully separate the slices to maintain their shape.
Creating the Topping
Step 6: In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. This mixture will create a golden, crispy topping when cooked.
