Rotolo di Melanzane -- Eggplant Rollups

• 1 lg. eggplant, ends removed, peeled and sliced into steaks
• 1 cup breadcrumbs, unseasoned
• 8 oz. ball, Mozzarella, whole milk
• 1 pound, Ricotta, whole milk
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tsp. Italian parsley, chopped fine
• salt and pepper to taste
• 5 cups Italian Tomato sauce, with Meat
• (See Salsa Pomodoro at this site)
• 3 eggs, whole
• Olive oil for frying
• Flour for dredging

1. Trim ends off eggplant, peel and slice into thin steaks.
2. (Steaks are obtained by slicing lengthwise.)
3. Should have 10-12 steaks.
4. (I use a mandolin to make uniform slices.)
5. Beat two of the eggs with a bit of water or milk in a soup dish.
6. In another soup dish place the cup or so of breadcrumbs.
7. Dredge the steaks in flour, then dip into the egg wash and then coat with breadcrumbs.
8. Place on a rack to dry.
9. Heat the Olive Oil in a medium sized skillet and saute the breaded eggplant steaks a few at a time, until tender and lightly browned.
10. Drain on absorbent toweling.
11. Divide the Mozzarella ball in half.
12. Reserve one half.
13. The other half dice into fairly small dices.
14. In a medium bowl, place the ricotta cheese, diced mozzarella, parmesan cheese and parsley.
15. Stir to incorporate all ingredients well.
16. Once mixed, stir in the last egg and salt and pepper to taste.
17. Set aside.
18. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
19. Place about 2/3 cup (or a bit less) into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
20. On each slice of fried eggplant place a couple of teaspoons of the Ricotta cheese mixture.
21. Leave in a ball on the eggplant.
22. Roll eggplant, beginning at the Ricotta Cheese, ending with the seam on the bottom.
23. Place in the baking dish with the sauce.
24. Continue until all eggplant slices are used.
25. Place a teasoon of tomato sauce on each eggplant roll, then top with a thin slice of Mozzarella from the half of ball you reserved.
26. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15-20 minutes.
27. Then place a tablespoon or more of tomato sauce on each roll and sprinkle with a generous amount of grated parmesan cheese.
28. Continue to bake for another 10-12 minutes.
29. Serve hot as an appetizer or side vegetable.

eggplant, breadcrumbs, mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan cheese, italian parsley, salt, tomato sauce, eggs, olive oil, flour

Taken from www.foodgeeks.com/recipes/21990 (may not work)