A Bounty of Veggies

Since starting my barter post, The Barter Circle, on facebook in which every other month I get together with a Circle of friends, facebook friends or friends of facebook friends, I have traded my goods, like farm fresh chicken eggs from my very own chickens, for a bounty of fresh fruits, jams, vegetables and goat milk products.  The excitement around the Lombardi home has finally caught on and within days of "Barter Days," my husband decided to do his own egg bartering and came home with a counterful of fresh new veggies. Then, bless his heart, my son decided to do the same and trade with his friends mother for 3 beautiful eggplants. So while a bounty of veggies is a good thing, they are perishable and eating the same thing everyday can get out right boring.  So creating this page is my way of keeping focused and saving money through bartering but also, mixing it up a bit by using these fresh foods in a new way everyday till they're gone. Cooking is my passion.  Maybe some of these recipes can inspire you to trade something you're good at or good at making, in return for a fresh bounty of foods to help the good old checkbook too.  Here's day one of my eggplant recipes. Bountiful Blessings~

Eggplant Hummus

Adapted from about.com so nutrition facts may vary slightly

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant
• 1 can chickpeas, drained (garbanzo beans)
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 Tbsp sesame oil
• dash sea salt
• 3 Tbsp cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley (optional)

Preparation:

Slice eggplant in half, and roast in 400 degree oven for approximately 45 minutes, or until soft. Allow to cool slightly, then scoop out inside of eggplant, leaving skin behind.
In a blender or food processor, combine eggplant and remaining ingredients, except oils and parsley, until smooth. Mixture will be somewhat thick. Slowly incorporate oils until well mixed. Mix in chopped parsley by hand. Serves eight.
Enjoy with veggies, pita, or as a sandwich spread.

Nutrition Facts:
One serving provides approximately:
Calories: 304, Calories from Fat: 118
Total Fat: 13.1g, 20%, Saturated Fat: 1.7g, 8%
Cholesterol: 0mg, 0%
Sodium: 58mg, 2%
Total Carbohydrates: 37.8g, 13%
Dietary Fiber: 11.8g, 47%
Sugars: 7.3g
Protein: 11.9g
Vitamin A 3%, Vitamin C 14%, Calcium 9%, Iron 23%, Based on a 2000 calorie diet