Eggplant Meatball Subs

My sons love meatball subs. I used eggplant meatballs on their subs today and they had no idea. They devoured the subs in seconds and asked if they could have another for lunch tomorrow.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

1 small eggplant

½ cup cannellini beans

1 cup Italian breadcrumbs

1 egg

1 garlic clove

¼ cup fresh basil

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus cheese to sprinkle on bun and on top of meatballs

pizza sauce or marinara sauce

grated parmesean cheese

buns/sub rolls

Olive oil spray

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. Spray with olive oil spray.
2. Place the eggplant in the center of the baking sheet.  Use a fork to prick the eggplant 4 times.
3. Roast the eggplant 50 minutes.  Let the eggplant cool.
4. Slice the eggplant in half lengthwise.  Scoop out the flesh.  Discard the skin.
5. Add eggplant, egg, beans, garlic, basil, mozzarella, and breadcrumbs to food processor.  Pulse to mix.
6. Use a cookie scooper to form balls.
7. Arrange meatballs on baking sheet.  Spray with olive oil spray. 
8. Bake meatballs for 20 minutes at 375.
9. Spray buns lightly with olive oil or butter spray.
10. Place a layer of mozzarella cheese.
11. Bake 2-3 minutes to melt cheese.
12. Add meatballs. Top with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and grated parmesan cheese. Bake 2 more minutes to warm sauce and melt cheese.
13. Enjoy!