Stuffed eggplant

Stuffed eggplants (patlıcan dolması; ; Լցոնած սմբուկներ; badımcan dolması; melanzane ripiene; berenjenas rellenas) are a dish typical of many countries.

Turkey
Eggplants are stuffed with meat (lamb) and rice or other vegetables. The ingredients include eggplant, minced meat, rice, onion, tomato paste, tomato, parsley, mint, salt, black pepper and sunflower oil. Optional ingredients include sumac, lemon juice, allspice, cinnamon, pine nuts, almonds, walnuts, mint, and olive oil which may be added for a better taste. In Turkey, two famous stuffed eggplant dishes are karnıyarık and İmam bayıldı.

Italy
In Italy, stuffed eggplant are cooked in oven, and can be filled with mozzarella cheese (in Rome), or with minced meat (in Sicily). In Sicily, globe eggplants of the violet variety are used.