Instructions: Bake eggplants for 45 minutes in a 375 degree oven or in hot ashes. Peel off and discard the skin, then chop the eggplant flesh while still hot. Rub a wood or earthenware bowl with one of the garlic cloves, cut. Add the eggplant and beat with a wooden spoon- or if available use a wood mortar to pound the eggplants. Continue pounding or beating, meanwhile adding the tomatoes, a little salt and pepper, 2 to 3 cloves garlic, crushed, and the herbs. Continuing to beat, gradually add the olive oil alternately with the red wine vinegar. Taste, adding oil and vinegar if necessary; melitzanosalata should be thick and smooth. Serve cold with fish, meat, or fresh crisp bread.

Note: You will have excellent results by whipping melitzanosalata in a blender or food processor as well.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.