Ok, crew this is an old Italian summer favorite of mine. I love the combo of the sweet cantaloupe with the salty "bacon" flavor. Eggplant bacon makes the perfect substitute for those of us who don't eat animal protein or who are simply trying to get a bigger variety of plants onto our plates.
This recipe is super easy. I love using a small ice cream/melon/cookie scoop, but you can also cut your cantaloupe into strips and wrap it with the "bacon". Looks different...tastes the same!
Ingredients:
1/4 cup Bragg's Liquid Aminos
2 TBSP pure maple syrup
2 TBSP nutritional yeast
2 TBSP olive oil
1 tsp liquid smoke
black pepper to taste
smoked paprika to taste
crushed red pepper flakes to taste
Eggplant
Directions:
Thinly slice your eggplant into "bacon" like strips.
Mix your marinade and dip the eggplant strips to coat both sides. Place your strips in air fryer at 325 for about 20 minutes. They should be slightly crispy, but still able to be wrapped without breaking.
If you don't have an airfare. Preheat your oven to 325. Lay eggplant bacon strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silat mat and bake for approximately 30 minutes, flipping 1/2 way through.
Wrap "bacon" strips around cantaloupe and pin in place with a toothpick.