Jordanian Stuffed Eggplants

3 large eggplants

2 small onions (chopped)

4 cloves garlic

680 g Minced lamb meat (preferrably from the shoulder)

2 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp chili flakes

1 tsp ground cardamom

1 tsp ground black peppercorn

1 cup pine nut

3 cups cherry tomatoes

2 tsp sugar

¼ cup parsley

Olive oil

Sea salt

Prepare the ingredients for cooking: Cut the eggplants in halves, chop the onions, grind the garlic into paste, crush the cherry tomatoes by hand, fry the pine nuts for 2-6 minutes and spread them on an absorbent towel.

Preheat the oven to 210 degrees (Celsius). Arrange the eggplant halves in a large baking tray with the cut sides to the top.

Brush the eggplants with olive oil and season with salt. Bake it in the oven for 20 minutes until the skin is browned.

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onions and garlic paste, and season with salt. Cook for 8 minutes with continuous stirring on moderate heat.

Add the minced lamb meat in the skillet. Add the spices (cloves, cinnamon, chili flakes, cardamom, and black peppercorn). Keep stirring and breaking the meat further with a wooden spoon for about 4 minutes (or until the meat is cooked).

Add the pine nuts, crushed tomatoes and sugar to the skillet and stir. Add salt as your preference.

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees (Celsius). Spoon the lamb mix onto the split eggplant halves.

Cover the tray with foil and bake for about 30-40 minutes, until the eggplants becomes very tender.

Move the eggplants to the serving plates and garnish with chopped parsley and pine nuts. You can also add your favorite sauce, or some pomegranate seeds.