Moussaka Eggplant Dish

Moussaka is one of my favorite Greek dishes, it is made with eggplant. I saw these beautiful eggplants at the

Mountain Meadow Farm and Craft Shop calling my name. Of course Moussaka was the second word that popped into my mind. It a very rich tasting lasagna like food. It is time consuming to make, but well worth the effort.

Ingredients:

eggplants 2

olive oil 

salt with salt shaker

spaghetti sauce 1 jar 16 oz

 1 package Italian sausage fried and drained of grease 

1 lb ball mozzarella cheese

The first thing I have to explain is that the eggplant needs to by sliced at 1/4 inch slices, and salted. This will cause the eggplant to sweat. Place in large bowl with water, push eggplant slices to the bottom, this will release any bitterness the eggplant may have, you will notice the water will change to a dark color.

Using a heavy bottomed pan, fry the slices in very little olive oil.(eggplant soaks up oil in a hurry)just enough so the eggplant won't stick.

The eggplant should look like dry leather, when done. This is the part that takes time. Be patient it will make the difference.

Stack fried eggplant into a small baking dish.

Spread spaghetti sauce teaspoon at a time on top of eggplant. Spread grated mozzarella cheese.

Top with Italian sausage, and repeat layers till it reaches the top. Top off with cheese. Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 45minutes. Enjoy!