Creole Stuffed Eggplant

This delicious stuffed eggplant dish is inspire by recipes I came across in old Creole cookbooks.

Serves: 4

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 1 large celery stalk, finely diced
• 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 heaping cup chopped ripe juicy tomatoes,
  or canned diced tomatoes, lightly drained
• 2 medium eggplants (about 1 pound each)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Chopped fresh basil, or 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Cayenne pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup dry whole-grain bread crumbs

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the onion, celery, and garlic, and sauté over medium-low heat until the onion is translucent. Add the bell pepper and continue to sauté until the onion is golden.

Meanwhile, stem the eggplants and cut them in half lengthwise. With a sharp knife, score each half several times lengthwise and across. Then, carefully remove the pulp, leaving a sturdy 1/2-inch-thick shell all around.

Chop the eggplant pulp and add it to the skillet mixture along with all the remaining ingredients except the bread crumbs. Add a bit of water, just enough to keep the mixture moist. Cook, covered, until the eggplant is tender, stirring  occasionally. Stir in the bread crumbs.

Set the eggplant shells in an oiled shallow baking dish in which they will be securely propped up against one other. Divide the stuffing evenly among the shells. Bake, covered for 20 minutes, then uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until the eggplant shells are tender but not collapsed. Serve at once.

• Explore more eggplant recipes on VegKitchen.
• Here are more Creole classics, veg style.