I had the most wonderful experience at the Uno's in Garrett County, Maryland (which is NOT a particularly gluten-free friendly area)!

I told the manager that I was allergic to wheat (easier to get the idea across that way) and asked thim if it would be possible for me to order a single-serve Chicago-Style pizza without the crust, using sliced eggplant (NOT floured or breaded) on the bottom instead.

He "got it" immediately, and said that he had some very small casserole dishes and would give me two of them (with a spoon!).

IT WAS SO GOOD!!!!!! It tasted just like the deep-dish Chicago-style pizza I remember!

Wow,
I was thinking you must be traveling by the subjects of your other posts. Glad to hear Uno's worked with you.

Oh my that sounds delicious - I want some! I am growing eggplant in my garden this year...one is just about ready, guess what I am going to do with it.... Thanks for the great suggestion and idea for an eating out adventure.

What are eggplants and do most pizza places have them?

sorry in advance, if that was a retarded question.

Cody,

It's great that Uno's in Garrett County worked for you. If you're ever out my way however (Columbia, MD), I wouldn't suggest trying it. The Uno's nearest me has managed to cause my celiacs to act up twice, both times with food that shouldn't have any gluten to begin with, after I explained that I was allergic to wheat, and even gave them a card with the foods I can't have. I guess not all Uno's are created equal.

Matthew

No such thing as a retarded question here, we're all learning!

Eggplant: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eggplant

A common Italian-American dish is eggplant parmesan, which is sliced eggplant that has been breaded and fried, then layered with tomato sauce and mozzarella and parmesan cheeses and baked like a lasagna. So I would think most Italian restaurants would have them in the kitchen. You just have to be sure that they don't bread it!

Matthew, one thing that always helps is to go when it's not crowded, which lessens the possibility of screw-ups. Of course, you may have done that and gotten glutened anyway!

Wrong person, you meant Fiddle Faddle=p

thanks for the info!

Eggplants are purply-black in color and range in size. They are a vegetable with little fiber, mostly water (not like a melon). They don't offer much in nutrition and they are rather bland by themselves.

The best way to cook up eggplant is to peel the skin off then either

1) slice into circles, sprinkle a little salt on each slice and pile them up on a heavy plate. Cover the whole plate; then after all the circles are loaded (2-4 layers) place another heavy plate on top even adding something heavy still on top. You want to squeeze some of the water out.

Normally after the water is out, you can coat and fry in oil. In this case you can either coat in gluten free crumbs or leave uncoated and fry in oil. Place fried eggplant on paper towels to get some of the oil off. In large baking pan layer fried eggplant with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Top with sauce and bake in 350 oven for about 40 mins. I am unsure of time as I never make this anymore...just long enough in oven so that insides gets hot, cheese melts, etc. as the eggplant is cooked already.


2) dice into cubes and saute - then adding flavorful ingredients like tomato sauce. When done put over rice or gluten-free macaroni - anything you wish.

I had the worst experience I've had at any restaurant at a Pizzeria Uno's a couple months ago. If they came out with a gluten free pizza, I might go to a different location and try it but I'm not sure. It was a really, really horrible experince; just one blunder after another.

we had a bad experience at uno's as well.
the manager had a really long face when I explaiened him my special request with the gluten free menu that I got from internet (and they didn have any idea of)
anyway, I was not confortable there at all, but I happy for you because I really wanted that place to work since its really cool!
Abi