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Aunt Hazel's Kitchen

Eggplant with Minced Meat.

A traditional and hearty Turkish dish made with tender eggplants filled with seasoned minced meat and cooked with a rich tomato sauce.

Time
60 min
Serves
4-5 people
Season
All Year
Difficulty
Medium

The Story

Eggplant with minced meat is a beloved Turkish home-style dish, especially prepared during summer when fresh eggplants are abundant. The combination of tender eggplants and flavorful minced meat filling makes it a classic family meal.

A timeless eggplant classic from Turkish family tables.

Instructions

7 Steps

  1. Peel the eggplants in stripes, soak them in salted water for 20 minutes, then dry them and lightly fry or bake until softened.

  2. Heat the oil in a pan and sauté the chopped onion and garlic.

  3. Add the minced meat and cook until it releases and absorbs its juices. Add peppers, tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices.

  4. Cook the filling for a few more minutes and mix in chopped parsley.

  5. Arrange the eggplants in a baking dish and fill them with the minced meat mixture.

  6. Add hot water and bake in a preheated oven at 190°C for about 30–35 minutes.

  7. Serve hot with rice or yogurt.

Hazel's Note

Soaking eggplants in salted water removes bitterness and helps them absorb less oil. For a lighter version, bake the eggplants instead of frying them.

Main Dishes · All Year · Medium · eggplant · minced-meat · turkish-cuisine · oven-baked · homemade