Grilled mini eggplants stuffed with perfectly seasoned sausage. Fire up that grill because this is a low carb summer meal you won’t want to miss! Paleo-friendly. This post is sponsored by Jones Dairy Farm.
So I am just going to go ahead and say it and get it out of the way: this recipe is awesome! Awesome as in “you need to go out and get the ingredients right now and make it tonight” kind of awesome. There, it’s out, I said it and it’s all you really need to know. Should I just stop writing now and let you get on your way to the market? Probably, but I won’t. I will just keep writing and blathering on about how good this low carb Stuffed Eggplant Recipe is, and delay your trip to the store just a little bit longer. I will be that annoying person who doesn’t know when to shut it and you will be all polite and feigning interest, while inwardly rolling your eyes and trying to check your watch surreptitiously to make sure you still have time. As the clock ticks on, you will try to insert a few words in an effort to get me to wrap up, but I will be utterly oblivious to your hints and just keep chatting. When I finally do pause, you will think “Yes! Where are my keys?”, but just as you are about to make your escape I will say “Oh, but you know what else I wanted to tell you?”. And off I go again, to your great dismay.
Or, you could just completely ignore me, scroll down to the recipe, make your grocery list and head out. This is a blog, after all, not real life. You are free to ignore everything I say. Don’t worry, I won’t be offended. At least, I will say I am not offended. But in reality, I will look hurt and find multiple passive aggressive ways to let you know that you’ve wounded me deeply.
Okay, enough silliness. This really is an insanely delicious recipe and I urge you to try it as soon as possible. I have a lot of favourite recipes here but this one may have just shot to the top of the list. I took one bite and was completely hooked and I will be making it many times through the summer, I can assure you. And once grilling season is over, I plan to try it in the oven too. There’s a lot to love here. Grilled eggplant always takes on a unique charred flavour that I adore. And sausage, well that hardly needs any introduction, does it? The seasonings are simple here, just garlic, rosemary and some salt and pepper, so it really lets the eggplant and sausage shine. I topped some with cheese and left some as is, and they were both great. Do as you see fit.
Jones Dairy Farm bulk sausage was perfect in this recipe and I am glad I kept the additional seasonings to a minimum. Their sausage products are great for people who don’t want additives like MSG, and the flavour is fantastic. The bulk sausage roll doesn’t contain any sugar or corn syrup; it’s just pork, water, salt and spices. I honestly think it made a real difference to the end result of this Sausage-Stuffed Grilled Eggplant. Helps keep the carb count down too!
Jones Dairy Farm just launched a cookbook with 125 recipes to celebrate the 125 years that the family-run company has been in business. It’s not all low carb, of course, but there are definitely some great low carb recipes in there too. It’s free, so check it out and see what goodies you can find! http://issuu.com/jonesdairyfarm
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Jones Dairy Farm. As always, all recipes, photography, thoughts, opinions, random tangents and incoherent ramblings are my own.
Sausage Stuffed Grilled Eggplant
Ingredients
- 3 small graffiti or baby eggplants about 6 to 8 oz each
- 12 oz Jones Dairy Farm bulk sausage
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary
- 6 slices provolone or mozzarella cheese optional
Instructions
- Cut each eggplant in half lengthwise. Scoop out insides, leaving about 1/4 thickness of flesh in the skin (I found this easiest by running a sharp knife around the insides, without cutting through, and then scooping with a spoon). Finely chop eggplant flesh.
- Meanwhile, brown sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking up clumps with the back of a wooden spoon, until cooked through, about 7 to 10 minutes.
- Transfer cooked sausage to a large bowl using a slotted spoon, to keep as much of the oils as possible in the pan.
- Add garlic to pan and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Then add chopped eggplant flesh, salt and pepper and sauté until eggplant is tender and translucent, about 5 minutes more.
- Add chopped rosemary and sauté another minute, then transfer eggplant to the bowl and stir to combine.
- Divide mixture among eggplant shells.
- Preheat grill to medium and oil lightly. Place stuffed eggplants on grill and close lid. Let cook about 8 to 10 minutes, until eggplant shells are tender.
- If adding cheese, turn grill off and lay slices on eggplant, cutting to fit (you don't want too much cheese overhanging or it will melt onto your grill and be very messy!). Close lid and let melt about 1 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
Saturated fatty acids: 14.87g
Total fat: 38.94g
Calories from fat: 350
Cholesterol: 80mg
Carbohydrate: 8.32g
Total dietary fiber: 1.81g
Protein: 16.22g
Sodium: 1107mg
RELATED POSTS
Homemade Cheddar Jalapeño Sausage
Sandra says
Is this breakfast sausage or would Italian work as well?
Carolyn says
Either would be great. It was bulk sausage so it’s not really either specifically.
Jen says
I made these tonight and they were sooo delicious! Where did you find that type of eggplant? I just used the smallest regular eggplants that I could find.
Carolyn says
I just found it at my regular grocery store. I think it’s called graffiti eggplant?
Barb says
I made this with regular eggplant and it worked well. I did pre-grill the eggplant. My husband and I loved it. My 9 year-old didn’t eat all the eggplant, but that’s to be expected. Thanks
david s says
I just made these a few nights ago- I did them in the oven and precooked the scooped out shells about half way before stuffing them. I did use chicken sausage because my daughter is doing lower fat diet- they were excellent-thanks for the insperation-I don’t think I would ever have stumbled onto the idea myself- we had them as a main course with a fresh salad but i can see them as a side dish also-they heated up great in the micro for lunch the next day also- huge success thanks
Hannah says
Do you think this would work in the oven as well?
Carolyn says
Yes, I think it would. I’d roast it at 400F or so, not quite sure how long it will take. Be sure to grease your pan before setting the eggplant in it.
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic says
Gaahhh this looks delicious!! I want one (or two) for lunch!
Vicki McGaugh says
Thank you so much for sharing this, I also got the cookbook! I just made this like lasagna, layering my eggplant from the garden with the sausage mixture and provolone (I also added fresh tomato slices)! Excellent.
Joshua Hampton says
You had me at eggplant. I love those things. And eggplants and cheese together in one dish… I’m in food heaven.
Sarah G says
Funny! I read your whole post, I promise, so no passive-aggressive comments toward me!
Eggplant. Just bought some today but have NEVER cooked with them before. They intimidate me. I was going to try an eggplant parmesan or something. If it works out maybe this recipe can be tried next with smaller eggplant.
Jan says
these look really good – I think I’ll go to the farmer’s market today to see if they have any small eggplants. How many servings in the recipe?
Carolyn says
Did I not specify in the recipe? Sorry. 3 servings.
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes says
Eggplant and sausage were meant to be together. These look so yummy and savory. Can’t wait to make them!