My husband has a thing about peelers. He wants the sharpest one so he can get the thinnest peel – no pith – for his twist for his perfect Manhattan. Yes! These are the important things in life.
Me? I like raw julienned vegetables.
I love eggplant and butternut squash but hate to peel it. They’re so large, it’s uncomfortable and clumsy trying to peel that big thing with a little itty bitty peeler and then you get frustrated so you peel quicker so it’s over with faster and then you slip and cut yourself.
Sound familiar?
Well the twin boys over at Joseph Joseph have done it again with this very neatly designed tool! Because it’s round and large in your hand, you can get a firm grip on it, stand your squash or eggplant upright (cut a flat bottom first) and peel big wide slices off.
There.
Isn’t that better?
This tool has three different blades – a regular peeler, a serrated edge and my favorite, the julienne side. Just think of how quickly I’ll be able to make this chicken dish now. Yippee!!
Take a look at the luscious Grilled Eggplant, Prosciutto, Tomato & Arugula Sandwiches I made for lunch last Saturday. Here, eggplant is the star, along with the peeler, and just one slice of prosciutto gives you the hit of flavor you need. You don’t need a ton of meat, just enough to make it work!
The eggplant had plenty of fresh garlic bringing heat, while grilling it gave it smoky goodness. The just-picked arugula from the farmer’s market along with the juicy tomato – total yumminess!!
My husband was not excited about this sandwich to start. He wanted more meat but then, he loved it. It wasn’t necessary.
Make this and enjoy!
GRILLED EGGPLANT, PROSCIUTTO, TOMATO & ARUGULA SANDWICH – serves 2
1 medium eggplant
4 large cloves of garlic, minced
1/3 cup olive oil
Salt
Pepper
1 tomato – on the vine variety
1 handful arugula, washed and air dried
2 large thin slices of prosciutto
One long loaf of Italian bread or a baguette, cut into sandwich size and in half
Cut a flat bottom to the eggplant and trim off the top. Hold eggplant upright and peel a large swath off of two opposing sides. Slice the eggplant in 1/4″ – 1/3″ slices.
Combine the olive oil and minced garlic and brush on both side of the eggplant and salt and pepper both sides. Grill on high heat until softened and you have some nice grill marks.
Lightly brush cut sides of the bread with olive oil and toast on the grill.
Assemble the sandwiches with two slices of eggplant first, then the prosciutto, arugula and tomato. Close the sandwich and cut in half.
A little bit of heaven!!
And so easy to peel that eggplant with the Joseph Joseph Rotary Peeler!
You can still get your very own peeler in our summer box. We have a few left – but hurry before they’re all gone!
