Stuffed Eggplants

Turkish legend says these eggplants once made a holy man faint, so they are called imanbayildi (“the holy man swooned”).

Recipe courtesy of "The Illustrated Kitchen Bible: 1,000 Family Recipes from Around the World" by Victoria Blashford-Snell, copyright 2008. Used by permission of Dorling Kindersley Limited. All rights reserved.

Vegetables

Main Course

Ingredients

4 small eggplants		1/2 tsp ground cardamom
6 tbsp olive oil		two 14.5 oz (411 g) cans chopped tomatoes
2 large onions, finely sliced		1/2 cup golden raisins
3 garlic cloves, minced		2 tbsp chopped cilantro
1 tbsp ground coriander		1 tbsp chopped mint
1 tbsp ground cumin		1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp ground turmeric

directions

Prep: 20 min Total: 30 min (Quick)

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1
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and score the flesh of each in a crosshatch pattern with a sharp knife.
2
Brush the flesh with 4 tbsp of the oil. Place, cut sides up, in a roasting pan. Bake in the oven for 30–35 minutes, or until tender.
3
Let the eggplants cool. Scoop out and reserve the flesh, leaving a 1/4 in (6mm) shell, being careful not to split the skins. Place on a serving platter.
4
Heat the remaining 2 tbsp of the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes until softened. Add the coriander, cumin, turmeric, and cardamom and stir about 1 minute, until fragrant.
5
Stir in the tomatoes and their juices and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thickened. Stir in the reserved eggplant flesh and raisins and cook for 10 minutes more. Let cool, then stir in the cilantro, mint, and parsley.
6
Spoon the mixture into the eggplant shells, and refrigerate for at least 1 day before serving.

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Stuffed Eggplants

Ingredients

directions