I've made these for a long time. These Italian eggplant balls are a great substitute for meatballs. Use them just like meatballs, in sauces, in recipes, as a side dish, etc. They can be a vegetarian substitution for many dishes. I like these best fried because I like them crispy. You could bake them instead. They go great "parmesan style" too, in a casserole dish, topped with sauce, parmesan & mozzarella cheese then baked...