INGREDIENTS:

• 2 eggplants, halved lengthways
• 250g minced (ground) pork
• 80g  fresh breadcrumbs
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 large ripe tomato, chopped
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tbsp oil
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• dry breadcrumbs for coating
• oil for frying

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Put the eggplant and 250 ml water in a saucepan with 1 teaspoon of the salt. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until tender but not too soft. Remove the eggplant from the water and place over paper towel, cut sides down, to drain. Scoop out some of the flesh, leaving a firm shell. Finely chop the flesh and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over low heat. Add the garlic and onion and cook until golden. Add the pork and stir-fry until it changes colour. Add the tomato, pepper and remaining salt and cook for 15 minutes. 
3. Add the eggplant pulp and continue cooking until the mixture starts to dry out. Remove from the heat, stir in the fresh breadcrumbs, taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, if desired.
4. Divide the mixture among the eggplant halves to fill each one, then brush over the tops with the egg and scatter over the dry breadcrumbs to coat.
5. Heat the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Add the eggplants and cook on one side for 10 minutes, before gently turning and cooking the top until golden. Serve hot.