Eggplant Parmesan

[Sharon123]

Eggplant Parmigiana is an oven baked dish hailing from Southern Itally which consists of thinly sliced fried or baked eggplant layered with tomato sauce and cheese. One may also bake or grill the eggplant slices. Recipes vary with cheese choices including hard cheeses such as Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, or softer cheeses like Mozzarella or Caciocavallo.

Variations of the dish can be made with breaded meat cutlets, such as veal and chicken.
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Eggplant Parmesan History

The name parmigiana has several theories to it's origin. One theory states that it's derived from the use of the cheese Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan cheese). Others attribute it to the altering of the word parmiciana.

This southern Italian classic might be named after the cheese that tops it—but some Sicilians think the title comes from palmigiana, their dialect word for ''shutter'', describing the way the eggplant slices are often overlapped.
There are also several theories as to how eggplant parmesan came to existence. One theory states that the version of Eggplant Parmesan we know today first appears in print in Ippolito Cavalcanti's Curcina Teorico-practica which was published in Naples in 1837. And yet another has the recipe showing up in 1786 in chef Vincenzo Corrado book Il cuoco galante. He mentions that eggplant can be cooked alla Parmegiana.

The North American style of serving Eggplant Parmigiana is to serve it with a side of pasta. Other toppings such as diced onions or green bell peppers may be added.

The dish should be served lukewarm so it is easy to cut and you will be able to feel the taste thoroughly.

Here are some recipes from food.com:

Eggplant (Aubergine) Parmesan
Kathy's Coconut Pecan Pie
Oven Fried Eggplant or and Zucchini Parmesan
Balsamic Eggplant (Aubergine) Parmesan
Eggplant (Aubergine) Parmesan (Easy!)

Easy Eggplant (Aubergine) Parmesan
Eggplant Parmesan
Low Fat Eggplant (Aubergine) Parmesan
Excellent Eggplant Parmesan
Perfect Eggplant (Aubergine) Parmesan Secrets


So, do you like Eggplant Parmesan? What's your favorite recipe? Do you go to a favorite restaurant that serves eggplant parmesan? Show us your recipes!

[duonyte]

I love eggplant parmesan. Mr Grumpy is not a real fan, so I make it for myself. One of my markets always has "eggplant cutlets" in the deli - breaded and fried/baked slices of eggplant. This makes this so very much easier to do.

I order it often, but my very favorite version was at a now-closed restaurant, Johnny D's (charming storefront that moved to a high-tech location, where you had to scream to make yourself heard to the person sitting right next to you, closed shortly thereafter), who had a wonder EP sandwich - a very crusty roll with the eggplant, cheese, marinara layered within and all heated up. Heaven in your hands!

[Sharon123]

Mmm, sounds good. I had eggplant parmesan at O Charleys restaurant that was one of the best I've ever had. I have an eggplant in the fridge, hmmm......