Stuffed Eggplants

Ingredients :

• 4 firm eggplants
• 2 large onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp. chopped parsley
• 2 tbsp. ground pork
• 6 tomatoes, chopped
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 tbsp. sugar
• 4 whole tomatoes
• 2 tbsp. olive oil

Cooking Procedures :

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.  Prepare a baking dish.  Set aside.
2. Halve the eggplants and remove the ends.  Scoop out the centers from the eggplants and sprinkle the shells with salt.
3. Let the shells stand for a few minutes.  Wash the shells with cold water and wipe dry.
4. Sauté the eggplant shells in frying pan until just soft.  Remove from pan and set aside.  Keep warm.
5. In the same pan, sauté the onions until soft and translucent.  Add the garlic, parsley, meat, and chopped tomatoes.  Cook, and stirring constantly for 5 minutes.
6. Remove from heat and cool the mixture.
7. Fill the eggplant shells with the mixture and place them in a baking dish.
8. Slice halves the whole tomatoes and place on top of the filled shells.  Sprinkle with salt, pepper and sugar, and drizzle an olive oil over the eggplants.
9. Add a bit of water to the baking dish.  Place on the center rack of the oven.  Bake for an hour or until done.  Allow to cool and serve.