Pomegranate Roasted Eggplant with Toasted Pecans & Chives

Name: Pomegranate Roasted Eggplant with Toasted Pecans &amp; Chives
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 3 pounds eggplant (3 medium or 8-10 slender Japanese eggplants); 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper; 2 teaspoons garlic powder; 3/4 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped; 1 handful fresh chives, washed and chopped; 1/2 cup drained, crumbled feta cheese (optional); 2 tablespoons sea salt; 3-4 tablespoons olive oil; 2-3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses

By Eve Fox

August 17, 2015

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Pomegranate Roasted Eggplant with Toasted Pecans & Chives — 1 of 4 Photo by Eve Fox

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Author Notes: A smoky, nutty, sweet, slightly tangy mess of caramelized eggplant topped with crunchy pecans and fresh chives from the garden. —Eve Fox

Serves: 4

3 pounds eggplant (3 medium or 8-10 slender Japanese eggplants)
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons garlic powder
3/4 cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped
1 handful fresh chives, washed and chopped
1/2 cup drained, crumbled feta cheese (optional)
2 tablespoons sea salt
3-4 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses

Slice the eggplant into wedges or chunks of roughly the same size and shape to ensure even cooking. Sprinkle liberally with salt and set in a colander or sieve in the sink to drain, turning a few times to ensure that the salt coats the eggplant slices evenly. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Let the eggplant sit for 30 minutes then give a quick rinse to remove some of the salt. Toss the eggplant slices with the olive oil, molasses, pepper and garlic powder, turning until everything is well-coated with the mixture, then put it in the oven to roast, turning every 15-20 minutes to avoid burning or sticking. Cook until you are satisfied with the results which should be soft and caramelized - the exact cooking time will vary depending on how large or small you've cut your eggplant but I'd guess that it will take at least 35-40 minutes. This gives you plenty of time to toast and chop the pecans and chop up the chives.
Remove the eggplant from the baking sheet with a metal spatula and place in the serving bowl or platter of your choice. Top with the pecans, chives and feta cheese, if you choose to use it. Drizzle with a little olive oil and serve.