Absolutely! Eggplant is actually an amazing, and very nutritious, pizza topping that can go well with many other things. The eggplant pizza recipe is easy to play around with and it’s an excellent vegan and gluten-free option.
Today, we’re covering everything there is about eggplant pizza, how you can have it, and exactly what you can expect. We’ll also dive into the history of the dish, its variations, and which restaurants near you do it best!
As a matter of fact, Italians do put eggplant on pizza!
Traditionally called pizza melanzane, this delicious pie features a tasty, crunchy, roasted eggplant and other delicious veggies. In addition, the pizza crust gets covered with marinara sauce, olive oil, and parmesan cheese.
Although it usually is served on regular dough, cauliflower dough is a great option for a fully vegan, gluten-free pizza. People sometimes take it a step further and put eggplant from the oven on eggplant crust. Although a bit strange for some, this is a recipe we recommend to anyone who wants to explore tastes and textures!
Aside from the classic eggplant, a pizza melanzane will usually feature other veggies like capsicum, mushrooms, and even potato. In fact, these veggies are rarely skipped when preparing an eggplant pie, so you can always expect their burst of flavor.
Even though we couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment eggplant pizza appeared, we can assume it’s an old recipe. Eggplant has been around in Italy since the 9th century AD and was almost immediately used in various dishes, pizza included.
Aside from the very delicious veggies on a pizza melanzane, there are many other options you can explore!
Take cheese for example.
You’ve probably had eggplant parmesan before, right? If you haven’t, it’s time to head to your nearest Italian restaurant and treat yourself! Either way, if this combination works so well in a pan, imagine what it’s like on a pizza! The punch of the parmesan goes excellently well with the deepness of the eggplant, making this pie a unique experience.
Other cheeses, like mozzarella and even cottage cheese, can really help the eggplant stand out, so the possibilities are virtually endless.
Moving on, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous, you can opt for a white pizza sauce instead of marinara. The milkiness of the sauce can really help break down the eggplant and turn your pie into a culinary masterpiece.
Other additions to an eggplant pizza include red pepper flakes, egg, sour cream, and more.
A slice of classic eggplant pizza can have anywhere between 200 and 400 calories. As you can see, we’re giving you a range instead of a specific figure. This is because the number of calories changes depending on what you like!
For example, if you go with regular, white dough, your slice will have more calories. However, if you opt for an alternative, you can enjoy a pizza with significantly less calories!
If you’re looking for a low carb eggplant pizza, you can always go with a cauliflower crust! This will cut the calories and add a twist to the flavor! This is also an excellent gluten-free option for anyone who has dietary restrictions.
Having said all this, we’d like to remind you that guilt should never be part of your favorite food recipe! Every food is wonderful in its own way and we’re always here to help you grab a tasty bite.
Now that you know more about eggplant pizza, we think it’s time to tell you where you can order some! Although our list here will be short, you search our website and find a perfect eggplant pizza place near you.
In Boston, one of the best places to try an eggplant pizza would definitely be The Pizza Shuttle!