Vegetable Layered Lasagna

Jeff and I have been wanting to try a lasagna where we substitute vegetables for noodles.  So we waited until eggplant and zucchini were on sale and gave it a go.  Seriously one of the best things we have made yet! But I will be honest, this one takes some time, so don't try it on a busy night.

What you will need...

• 1 cup bread crumbs (just use frozen heels and put in the food processor)
• 1 to 2 eggplants (1 really big one or two medium), sliced thin (about 1/8 of an inch)
• 2 medium to large zucchinis, sliced thin (about 1/8 of an inch)
• 1 onion cut into large pieces
• 4 pints of cherry tomatoes
• 1 head of garlic, separated and cracked but left in their skins
• 2 red peppers, with the stem and seeds removed
• olive oil
• salt and pepper
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning (or your choice of herbs)
• 5 to 6 cups of cottage cheese
• 3 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups frozen spinach, thawed and drained

First you will need to make the sauce.  Preheat your oven to 425*.  On a jelly roll pan, place the garlic, tomatoes, red peppers, and onion.  Coat lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Roast for 30 minutes.  Keep the oven on though.  Remove the skins from the garlic and the skin from the peppers.  Put all into a blender, add salt and pepper, and Italian seasoning; and puree. 

Now for the layering.  In a lasagna pan, coat the bottom with a bit of olive oil and a super thin layer of bread crumbs.  Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  There will be 3 layers...Add a layer of eggplant slices over the breadcrumbs, then a layer of cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, spinach, and sauce.  Next, layer zucchini, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, spinach, and sauce.  Then, do a final layer of eggplant, cottage cheese, mozzarella cheese, and sauce.  Cover and cook 20 minutes.  Uncover and cook 20 minutes.  Remove and let cool for 5 to 10 minutes to set.  Serve with some garlic bread a glass of wine...YUM-OLA!!!

How many people can eat...should feed about 8, but you can feed more if you put it along side some chicken or Italian meatballs.