EGGPLANT STUFFED WITH ANCHOVIES, CAPERS, AND OLIVES

Steps:

• 1 Trim off the tops of the eggplants. Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise. With a small sharp knife and a spoon, scoop out the eggplant pulp, leaving a shell about 1/2 inch thick. Coarsely chop the pulp and place it in a colander. Sprinkle generously with salt and set over a plate to drain. Sprinkle the insides of the eggplant shells with salt and place them upside down on paper towels. Let drain for 30 minutes. 2 Rinse off the salt with cool water and dry the eggplant with paper towels. Squeeze the pulp to extract the water. 3 Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until a small piece of eggplant sizzles when added to the pan. Add the eggplant pulp and cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, anchovies, olives, capers, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes more. 4 Place a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Oil a baking pan just large enough to hold the eggplant shells in a single layer. 5 Fill the shells with the eggplant mixture. Place them in the pan. Toss the bread crumbs with the remaining oil and sprinkle them over the shells. Bake 45 minutes or until the shells are tender when pierced. Let cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.