Grate 1 onion into 300 g of ground meat. Add 1 handful of chopped parsley, 2 crushed garlic cloves, 2 slices of bread crumbs, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and 1 dessert spoon of salt, then knead everything together.

Peel the 3 eggplants in a striped pattern and soak them in salted water for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, rinse and dry them. Using a knife, make evenly spaced cuts across each eggplant, leaving about a finger's width between cuts. Fill the cut sections of the eggplants with as much of the prepared ground meat mixture as they will hold.

In a small saucepan, sauté 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of salça (Turkish tomato/pepper paste). Add 2 water glasses of water and 1/2 dessert spoon of salt, and bring to a boil.

Arrange a layer of tomatoes sliced into rings on the bottom of a baking dish. Place the 3 prepared eggplants on top. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Cut the 3 long green peppers into two or three pieces and place them over the eggplants, then layer tomato slices on top to cover. Scatter 2 finely chopped garlic cloves over everything. Pour the prepared salça sauce over the top. Drizzle with a very small amount of vegetable oil. Bake in the oven at 200°C (390°F) for 1 hour.

About This Recipe

Eggplant, known to the scientific world as Solanum Melongena, is one of the unique flavors of both Turkish and international cuisine. It is known to have spread to European countries from the 6th century onward and has achieved the distinction of being the 6th most consumed vegetable in the world. Eggplant is a vegetable that grows in tropical regions. It is most commonly known for its purple — and sometimes near-black — color, though a white variety is also occasionally found.

Low in carbohydrates and high in fiber, eggplant is quite nutritious for people with diabetes. It soothes the digestive and excretory systems, helps balance cholesterol, and supports cardiovascular health. Consuming eggplant once a week for healthy blood circulation can yield great results. Its nasunin compound aids in the absorption of excess iron, so eating eggplant may benefit your body's iron levels. Eggplant also contains a certain level of nicotine, which can help people trying to quit smoking — increasing eggplant consumption can be effective for those experiencing nicotine cravings. As a storehouse of vitamin A, eggplant also contains vitamins C, E, and K, as well as potassium, sodium, and magnesium. Thanks to all these vitamins and minerals, eggplant supports healthy brain function and memory. With its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, it strengthens the body's immunity and helps protect us from illness.

Today we've prepared Eggplant Kebab (Patlıcan Kebabı) for you — we're not sure it can replace our İslim Kebabı recipe, but we guarantee you'll be licking your fingers. Bon appétit…