Soba Noodles with Eggplant and Mango
 
 
I wished I'd had two colanders for this.. or should have done the eggplant earlier in the process in order to reuse the colander for draining the soba noodles. We loved the combination of flavors and wondered if a few peanuts or pistachios would have added a nice finishing touch.
Author:
Cuisine: main dish, vegetarian, vegan
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup rice vinegar
  • 3 tbsp sugar (or vegan substitute)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed and minced
  • 1/4 fresh chili, seeded and minced (mine was a scotch bonnet)
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 lime, grated zest and juice
  • sunflower oil
  • 2 small eggplants, chopped 1/4 inch strips
  • 8-9 oz box Kamut Soba Noodles
  • 2 ripe yellow Ataulfo or other mangos
  • 1 2/3 cup basil leaves, chopped
  • 2 1/2 cups cilantro leaves, chopped
  • 1/4 red onion, sliced thin
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced thin
Instructions
  1. Stirring constantly, gently warm the rice vinegar, sugar and salt over low heat until the sugar dissolves (about 1 minute). Stir in the garlic cloves, chili pepper and sesame oil. Set aside to cool. Once cooled add the lime zest and juice.
  2. Cover the bottom of a cast iron frying pan with sunflower oil, brown the eggplant in about 3 batches. Then put the cooked eggplant pieces in a colander, toss with salt and leave to drain in the sink or over a plate.
  3. Boil salted water in a large pot and then cook the box of Soba noodles until they are cooked but slightly al dente (about 5-9 minutes). Don't let them overcook. Drain in a large colander and rinse well under cold water. Leave to finish draining or pat dry with a clean tea towel.
  4. In a large serving bowl, toss the noodles with enough dressing to coat the noodles (you will have some left over). Add the eggplant pieces, mango, herbs and the onion slices. Toss everything well to coat, adding more dressing as desired.
  5. Top with a few pieces of avocado and fresh, unchopped cilantro and serve.
Recipe by Just a Smidgen at https://justasmidgen.com/2015/02/15/soba-noodles-eggplant-mango/