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1
Heat the oven to 375u00b0F. Use 1 tablespoon olive oil to grease a large rimmed baking sheet. Put 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it's hot, add the eggplant and 1/4 cup water. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pieces shrivel a bit and are tender and beginning to color, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the eggplant to the bowl of a food processor.
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2
Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the pan along with the onion and garlic and return to the heat. Cook, stirring frequently until they're soft and translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Meanwhile, drain the beans; if using canned, rinse the beans also. Add the beans and parsley to the work bowl with the eggplant and pulse until well combined and chopped, but not pureed.
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3
Toss the eggplant mixture with the onion and garlic, then add the breadcrumbs and red chile flakes if you're using them. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Roll the mixture into 12 balls about 2 inches in diameter; transfer them to the prepared pan. Bake, undisturbed, until they're firm and well browned, 25 to 30 minutes.
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4
Put the oil in a large pot over medium heat. When it's hot, add the onion and garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, the pepper, and the red chile flakes if you're using it. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables soften, 3 to 5 minutes
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5
Add the tomatoes and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and adjust the heat so the mixture bubbles steadily. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down, the vegetables become very soft, and the mixture thickens, 15 to 20 minutes. If the mixture looks too thick, stir in a splash of water.
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6
Stir in the herb, if you're using it; taste and adjust the seasoning. You'll need to use about 2 cups along with the meatballs. Store the remaining sauce in the refrigerator for up to several days, or in the freezer for several months.
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7
Serve the meatballs hot or at room temperature along with the tomato sauce.
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8
For those who don't fancy eggplant, or just as a change, substitute 1 pound chopped mushrooms of any kind for the eggplant. In Step 1, cook them until the pan is dry and they start to stick a bit, 5 to 10 minutes. Then mix, form, and bake as in the original recipe.
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9
Substitute 1 pound chopped cauliflower for the eggplant; core and roughly chop it. In Step 1, cook the pieces until the pan is dry and they start to brown a bit, 10 to 15 minutes. Then mix, form, and bake as in the original recipe.
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10
The coarser the breadcrumbs are, the better. If you can't make your own, use panko (preferably whole wheat if you can find it).
