Tomato, Squash, and Eggplant Tian

Eggplant: A Hidden Secret of the Veggie World

Eggplant is a less-commonly used vegetable. Because of that, people are often uncertain how to cook it. Once you learn to use it strategically, it’s actually an amazing way to distribute flavors and add richness in a meal. This recipe gives you the opportunity to make sure you prepare it in a way that tastes delicious!

Eggplant is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, especially nasunin (found in the deep purple skin) and chlorogenic acid. Eggplant helps fight oxidative stress in the body and reduces inflammation linked to chronic disease. In addition, eggplant delivers a range of essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C for immune defense, vitamin K for bone health, vitamin B6 for energy metabolism, potassium for healthy blood pressure, and manganese for antioxidant function. And, like most vegetables, it brings all these nutrients along with fiber in a low-calorie package.

Tomatoes Tie It All Together

Tomatoes bring this dish to life, with juicy acidity and natural sweetness that bring together and enhance the other flavors, particularly from the zucchini and onions. When roasted, the tomatoes become saucy, making it a moisture-rich dish that melts in your mouth.

Tomatoes are known for being a great source of the carotenoid lycopene, which gives them their red color. Lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants – it’s twice as effective as beta-carotene and ten times more potent than vitamin E at neutralizing harmful molecules that contribute to cell damage and inflammation. Lycopene and other compounds in tomatoes have been shown to have anti-diabetic effects as well as prevent complications from diabetes.

Zucchini

In this recipe, zucchini balances out the eggplant, onion, and tomato with its soft, tender bite and mild flavor.

Research shows that zucchini seems to have a dual benefit for health, in which it protects healthy cells from oxidative damage, while also having a destructive role against unhealthy (cancer) cells. Pretty amazing!!

The best case scenario for this dish is to use eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, and onion with a similar width so that the vegetable slices can be layered in a uniform way.

Each of these vegetables is so flavorful that all you need to bring it all together is the fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon juice. Once you catch a whiff of the aroma as it bakes you’ll know what we mean!