For this recipe I used Japanese eggplants which are long and not more than a few inches in diameter.  Their skins are not as tough and they are not as seedy as regular eggplants.  I grow them in my garden but they are sometimes available at farmers markets or at the Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op.  If you can get them, give this easy recipe a try.

2 Japanese eggplants

3 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

sea salt

black pepper

Cut off the stems and ends of the eggplants and then cut them into 1/2 inch cubes (no need to skin them).  Place in a baking pan and toss with the olive oil until well coated.  The eggplant tends to absorb the oil so drizzle it over while stirring to evenly coat the eggplant and use more olive oil if you like.  Add salt and pepper and stir again. Spread cubes evenly over the pan.   Bake in a 400 degree F oven for about 20 minutes turning once with a spatula at about 10 minutes to brown evenly.  Serve hot and consider garnishing with the dry pesto mix  I’ve posted previously in a green bean recipe–just sprinkle the mix over the eggplants cubes as you serve them  .  Serves 2-3.