Bademjan Gudeh is a meal which is traditionally cooked in northern Gilan Province. The name of the food means ‘eggplant ball’ in local dialect.

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

5 medium eggplants
3 medium tomatoes 
3 medium onions, finely chopped
200g walnuts 
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup vegetables (mint, parsley or local vegetables such as Chuchaq and Anarijeh)
1 cup pomegranate paste
Salt, pepper and frying oil to the taste

Instructions

Peel eggplants and cut the eggplants lengthwise. Remove as much flesh as you can, while keeping the shell intact. Season with a little salt and place in a large bowl of water for a while.

Fry the eggplants in a pan and set them aside.

Combine the walnuts in a food processor and process to have a sand-like texture.

Grate tomatoes and set them aside.

Mix all ingredients including pomegranate paste, salt and pepper. Sauté the mixture.

Fill the eggplant shells with the mixture, pressing down with your hands. 

Fry the stuffed eggplant in a pan. Add ½ cup of water and any leftover stuffing, transfer it to the pan and bake that with the eggplant for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve it with rice.

Bon appetite!

SB/MQ/MG