The Classic Turkish Stuffed Eggplant

The classic Turkish stuffed eggplant can be part of a mezze platter or a vegetarian entree. Inspired by bostonglobe.com

The Classic Turkish Stuffed Eggplant
CategoryDiet,
Yields12 Servings
Prep Time20 minsCook Time1 hr 35 minsTotal Time1 hr 55 mins

Ingredients

 6 small (4- or 5-inch) eggplants
 6 tbsp olive oil
 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia, OSO Sweet, or another variety), chopped
 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
 4 plum tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped
 Salt and pepper, to taste
  cup fresh parsley chopped
 ¼ cup fresh mint chopped
 3 tbsp lemon juice
 2 tsp sugar
 Extra fresh parsley leaves, chopped (for garnish)
 Extra fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Nutrition Facts

12 servings

Serving size


Amount per serving
Calories115
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 7g9%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 71mg4%
Total Carbohydrate 12g5%
Dietary Fiber 5g18%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 2g

Vitamin A 15mcg2%
Vitamin C 16mg18%
Potassium 412mg9%
Vitamin E 13mg87%
Vitamin K 56mcg47%

* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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Instructions

1

Set the oven at 425 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2

Halve the eggplants lengthwise. With the tip of a paring knife, make an oval cut inside the edge of the eggplant flesh. Use a spoon to scoop out two thirds of the flesh from each eggplant and transfer to a bowl.

3

Set the halves on the baking sheet. Brush them with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Bake them for 35 minutes, or until the edges are brown.

4

Turn the oven down to 400 degrees.

5

Chop the eggplant flesh; set aside.

6

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes, or until it softens.

7

Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add the tomatoes, chopped eggplant, salt, and pepper. Turn up the heat and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, or until the liquid evaporates. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley and mint.

8

Fill each eggplant with the tomato mixture.

9

In a small bowl, stir together the lemon juice, sugar, and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle the mixture over the eggplants.

10

Bake the eggplants for 40 to 45 minutes, until the filling is bubbling at the edges and the eggplants are tender when pierced with a skewer. Cool to room temperature. Sprinkle with parsley and mint leaves.

Ingredients

 6 small (4- or 5-inch) eggplants
 6 tbsp olive oil
 1 large sweet onion (Vidalia, OSO Sweet, or another variety), chopped
 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
 4 plum tomatoes, cored and roughly chopped
 Salt and pepper, to taste
  cup fresh parsley chopped
 ¼ cup fresh mint chopped
 3 tbsp lemon juice
 2 tsp sugar
 Extra fresh parsley leaves, chopped (for garnish)
 Extra fresh mint leaves (for garnish)

Directions

1

Set the oven at 425 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

2

Halve the eggplants lengthwise. With the tip of a paring knife, make an oval cut inside the edge of the eggplant flesh. Use a spoon to scoop out two thirds of the flesh from each eggplant and transfer to a bowl.

3

Set the halves on the baking sheet. Brush them with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Bake them for 35 minutes, or until the edges are brown.

4

Turn the oven down to 400 degrees.

5

Chop the eggplant flesh; set aside.

6

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the onion, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes, or until it softens.

7

Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add the tomatoes, chopped eggplant, salt, and pepper. Turn up the heat and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes, or until the liquid evaporates. Remove from the heat and stir in the parsley and mint.

8

Fill each eggplant with the tomato mixture.

9

In a small bowl, stir together the lemon juice, sugar, and remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle the mixture over the eggplants.

10

Bake the eggplants for 40 to 45 minutes, until the filling is bubbling at the edges and the eggplants are tender when pierced with a skewer. Cool to room temperature. Sprinkle with parsley and mint leaves.

Notes

The Classic Turkish Stuffed Eggplant

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