How to Make Soba Noodles With Eggplant and Basil

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make soba noodles with eggplant and basil

How to Make Soba Noodles With Eggplant and Basil

This week my CSA box had basil & eggplant. I remembered seeing a recipe from Yotam Ottolenghi's Plenty, and was excited to try a variation. I am so glad I did! The dressing has an amazing flavor.

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Step 1 of 21
Gather your ingredients.

Gather your ingredients.

Step 2 of 21
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Step 3 of 21
Cut the eggplant and the zucchini into 1/4 inch chunks. Toss with some olive oil, sea salt and pepper.

Cut the eggplant and the zucchini into 1/4 inch chunks. Toss with some olive oil, sea salt and pepper.

Step 4 of 21
Spread into an even layer on a oiled baking sheet. Place in the oven to roast (about 30 minutes).

Spread into an even layer on a oiled baking sheet. Place in the oven to roast (about 30 minutes).

Step 5 of 21
Cut the butternut squash into 1/4 inch chunks. Toss with some olive oil, sea salt and pepper.

Cut the butternut squash into 1/4 inch chunks. Toss with some olive oil, sea salt and pepper.

Step 6 of 21
Spread into an even layer on a oiled baking sheet. Place in the oven to roast. The reason the squash is separated from the eggplant/zucchini mixture is that the cooking time varies.

Spread into an even layer on a oiled baking sheet. Place in the oven to roast. The reason the squash is separated from the eggplant/zucchini mixture is that the cooking time varies.

Step 7 of 21
Cook the soba noodles in a large pot of boiling, salted water.

Cook the soba noodles in a large pot of boiling, salted water.

Step 8 of 21
When the soba are done cooking, drain and rinse with cold water. Shake off as much water as possible, and let sit in the colander.

When the soba are done cooking, drain and rinse with cold water. Shake off as much water as possible, and let sit in the colander.

Step 9 of 21
In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup brown rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt,  and 3 tablespoons brown sugar. Heat on medium, stirring, until the sugar had dissolved.

In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup brown rice vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 3 tablespoons brown sugar. Heat on medium, stirring, until the sugar had dissolved.

Step 10 of 21
Turn off the heat and add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 3 pressed garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil. Remove from stove and let cool.

Turn off the heat and add 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, 3 pressed garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil. Remove from stove and let cool.

Step 11 of 21
Thinly slice the red onion.

Thinly slice the red onion.

Step 12 of 21
Pick the basil leaves, and clean thoroughly.

Pick the basil leaves, and clean thoroughly.

Step 13 of 21
Cut the basil into slivers.

Cut the basil into slivers.

Step 14 of 21
Cut up the tofu into cubes. You can used any sort of baked or pan fried tofu you like. I cheated and used store bought marinated tofu (Wildwood Organic Royal Thai Sprouted Baked Tofu).

Cut up the tofu into cubes. You can used any sort of baked or pan fried tofu you like. I cheated and used store bought marinated tofu (Wildwood Organic Royal Thai Sprouted Baked Tofu).

Step 15 of 21
When the dressing has cooled, add the zest of 1 lime.

When the dressing has cooled, add the zest of 1 lime.

Step 16 of 21
Then, add the juice.

Then, add the juice.

Step 17 of 21
In a large mixing bowl, place the noodles, roasted vegetables, sliced onion, basil, and tofu.

In a large mixing bowl, place the noodles, roasted vegetables, sliced onion, basil, and tofu.

Step 18 of 21
Pour the dressing on top.

Pour the dressing on top.

Step 19 of 21
Mix everything well, and let sit for 1-2 hours to let the favors meld.

Mix everything well, and let sit for 1-2 hours to let the favors meld.

Step 20 of 21
Serve with some extra slivered basil, and pea shoots on top.

Serve with some extra slivered basil, and pea shoots on top.

Step 21 of 21
This recipe is loosely based on one from Yotam Ottolenghi's Plenty.  The original calls for mangoes, but I subbed squash since they are in season. Also, instead of frying the eggplant, I roasted it.

This recipe is loosely based on one from Yotam Ottolenghi's Plenty. The original calls for mangoes, but I subbed squash since they are in season. Also, instead of frying the eggplant, I roasted it.

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8 Comments
Supplies

Β½ Cups Brown rice vinegar

3 Tablespoons Brown sugar

Β½ Teaspoons Fine grain sea salt

3 Cups Garlic cloves, peeled and pressed

ΒΌ Teaspoons Red pepper flakes

1 Toasted sesame oil

1 Lime

2 Small eggplants

2 Teaspoons Zucchinis

1 Butternut squash

8 Ounces Soba noodles

1 Small red onion, thinly sliced

1 Bunch Basil, thinly sliced

12 Ounces Tofu, baked or pan fried, and cut into cubes

1 Cup Pea shoots

Olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Valerie Spengen

Wonderful, I am going to try that this weekend.

Valerie Spengen 4 months ago

Jason Hodge

My mouth is watering!!! That sauce looks great and packed full of flavor! You've just inspired me to get into my kitchen and put something together! Thanks for the tut!

Jason Hodge 5 months ago

Nancy Kim

Can't wait to try your wonderful sounding recipes!

Nancy Kim 6 months ago

Jeanne Rice

Off to the store I go!! Thanks so much!

Jeanne Rice 10 months ago

Theresa Noir

This is superb πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰ cooked this on the weekend and was hook what a beautiful creation combined with bursting flavor it's one of a kind ....Thank you for sharingπŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰πŸŽ‰

Theresa Noir 10 months ago

Rane Body Decor

Your recipes are so elegant!

Rane Body Decor 11 months ago

Joy Lee

Great guide! One thing to note, though. Unlike pasta, there is no need to add salt when boiling soba as the soba itself has a delicate flavor. Learned this from a japanese cook ☺

Joy Lee 11 months ago

Daniel Raffel

This was delicious!!!

Daniel Raffel 11 months ago

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