Yes, you can have fries with that. Splurge on your favorite “side,” sans excess fat, calories and gluten, with this clever recipe featuring slender sticks of eggplant coated with flavorful coconut flakes.

Ingredients:

• 1 eggplant, large
  
• 2 tablespoons Napa Valley Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  
• 1/4 cup Let’s Do Organic Coconut Flakes
  
• 1/4 teaspoon Hain Pure Foods Iodized Sea Salt
  
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground Drogheria & Alimentari White Pepper Corns
  
• Spectrum Olive Spray Oil
• Green Mountain Gringo Mild Salsa

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Apply light coat of olive spray oil to baking dish.
2. Wash eggplant thoroughly. Use a sharp knife to cut eggplant in half lengthwise, then slice each half into “fries” (about eight per half).
3. Using whisk, mix together olive oil, coconut flakes, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add eggplant fries to mixture and toss until coated. Transfer fries to prepared baking dish.
4. Bake fries for about 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool for several minutes after removing from oven. Serve with salsa for dipping.