Stuffed Eggplant, Basilicata Style

• 2 small eggplants (about 1/2 pound each)
• Salt for sprinkling on top
• 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fine dried bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano, or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, plus additional olive oil for drizzling on eggplants
• 1 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped, pitted imported green olives

1. Leave the skins on the eggplants, but trim off and discard the stems and navels.
2. Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise.
3. Make slashes about 1 inch deep in their flesh on the cut sides and sprinkle them with salt.
4. Place the halves cut sides down in a colander.
5. Place the colander in the sink or over a dish and let stand so the bitter liquid drains out of the seeds, about 40 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, preheat an oven to 375 degrees F. Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
7. Rinse the eggplant under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel.
8. In a small bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, oregano, parsley, the 1 tablespoon olive oil, and olives.
9. Using your fingers, work as much of the mixture as you can into the slashes in the eggplant halves.
10. Spread any remaining mixture on top of the eggplants.
11. Place the eggplant halves cut sides up on the foil-lined sheet and drizzle generously with olive oil.
12. Bake on the middle rack of the oven until completely tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 20 minutes.
13. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

eggplants, salt, clove garlic, bread crumbs, fresh oregano, fresh italian parsley, extra virgin olive oil, green olives

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/stuffed-eggplant-basilicata-style (may not work)