Matzo minas are layered vegetable casseroles traditional to Sephardic Passover Seders. This one can be aptly described as a matzo lasagna. Many variations are made by Sephardic Jews of various cultures. This one is of definite Italian influence, and will certainly remind you of an eggplant lasagna. Photos by Evan Atlas.
Serves: 8 to 10
- 2 medium eggplants, about 2 pounds total
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 15- to 16-ounce can tomato sauce
- 14- to 16-ounce can diced tomatoes, lightly drained
- ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
- ½ teaspoon each: dried oregano, dried basil, and paprika
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 6 matzos
- 8-ounce package shredded mozzarella-style vegan cheese
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Cut the eggplants into ½-inch slices. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, overlapping them a bit might be necessary. Bake for 20 minutes, or until tender but not overdone. Remove from the oven. Turn the oven off to allow the temperature to cool.
Heat the oil in a deep saucepan. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until golden. Add the tomato sauce, tomatoes, parsley, and seasonings. Bring to a simmer and cook over low heat, covered, for 15 minutes.
Break each matzo into three strips. Fill a shallow casserole dish with lightly salted water. Place the matzo strips in it for 2 minutes, or until slightly pliable. Don't overdo it; you don't want them to get mushy! Remove carefully to a plate.
Lightly oil a large, shallow baking casserole and layer as follows: a thin layer of sauce, a layer of eggplant, a layer of matzo, and a layer of cheese. Repeat. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the cheese is touched with brown spots.
Note: Using Daiya cheese (which is made from tapioca flour), should be fine for Sephardic Passover, if you aren't concerned that this product isn't specifically Kosher for Passover.
- Get more on VegKitchen's Passover: Sephardic-Style Seder page.
- Find more ways to make Special Occasions and Entertaining easier and healthier.
ela says
How many of these recipes can be made in advance and frozen??
Nava says
Ela, it depends on the ingredients. This one, for example, would freeze well. Any others you are looking at specifically?
Linda says
Do you think a spinach matzo mina would freeze well?
Nava says
Linda, it should freeze pretty well. Just make sure the spinach is drained very, very well.
Rachel says
Hi, this looks delicious. Do you think there is a way to make this gluten free? Do you have any suggestions for substitutions for the matzoh layer? Thanks!
Nava says
Rachel, there is now such a thing as gluten-free matzo, but it's neither Kosher for Passover nor vegan: https://www.glutenfreematzo.com/products/matzo. I would say that you might try firm-cooked potato slices or cooked quinoa (which is now a Passover food!) to layer with the eggplant. If you're looking for another Passover main dish, you might also consider Passover Quinoa Pilaf: http://www.vegkitchen.com/recipes/quinoa-pilaf/ Happy holiday!
Aqualung says
I'm making this right now, for the last two days of Pesach! It's moments from the oven this Erev YomTov.
I'm using ground beef browned in chopped onions, zucchini, yellow squash, and spaghetti sauce. Best takeaway from this recipe: breaking the matzos into thirds for soaking. Definitely the way to go.
Marjorie Rothenberg says
Tried this almost exactly as instructed...we only had K-for Passover muenster cheese, though. But it came out tasting great. Also, by baking the eggplant it kept the whole meal feeling pretty light. Great recipe! Thanks!