Recipe: Aubergine ‘meatballs’ with tomato sauce and courgette

From diabetes.org.uk

A healthy vegan version of this Italian classic, with courgettes for extra flavour. Serves 4. Prep Ready in 45 min

KCal 260  Carbs 30.2g  Fibre 11.1g  Protein 10.3g  Fruit/Veg Portion 4

Fat 8.5g  Saturates 1.5g  Sugars  15.3g  Salt 0.0g

Ingredients

250g peeled sweet potato, chopped

600g aubergine

1 red onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

Finely grated rind of 1/2 lemon

1/2 red chilli, deseeded and chopped

1tsp chopped fresh rosemary

3tbsp sesame seeds

1 white onion, roughly chopped

1tsp olive oil 400g can chopped tomatoes

1tbsp balsamic vinegar

1tsp sugar

4 large courgettes

1cal spray sunflower oil

Method

Step 1

Boil the potato for 8-10 mins until tender, drain, mash and set aside.

Step 2

Cut the aubergine into 1cm cubes. Spray a non-stick frying pan with olive oil and add the aubergine, onion and garlic. Cover and cook over a low/medium heat for 15 mins, stirring occasionally. Remove lid and cook for 5 mins.

Step 3

Tip into a food processor and pulse for 5 secs to chop finely but not blend; the meatballs are nicer with a little texture. Spoon into a bowl, add the potato, zest, chilli and rosemary and mix well. Divide and roll into 12 balls. Scatter the sesame seeds on a plate and roll each ball in the seeds to coat. Chill for 10 mins to firm up.

Step 4

Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4. Put the balls in an ovenproof dish, spray lightly with oil and cook for 20-25 mins until crisp.

Step 5

Meanwhile make the sauce. Heat a small frying pan and cook the onion in the oil over a low heat until soft. Add the tomatoes, vinegar and sugar, cover and simmer for 10 mins, stirring occasionally.

Step 6

Meanwhile, cut each courgette lengthways into 5mm slices. Spray on both sides with a little 1cal sunflower oil and cook on a griddle for 4-5 mins each side until charred and softened. Slice into thin strips, divide between the serving plates, top with the sauce and aubergine balls and serve.

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/recipes/aubergine-meatballs-tomato-sauce-and-courgette