Lamb & Barley Stuffed Eggplant is a dish that epitomizes the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. Ground lamb meat combined with chewy pearl barley, mint and citrus create a robust meaty combination nestled within roasted eggplant shells.
Cut the eggplants in half. Using the tip of your knife, score the eggplant meat into a cross-hatch pattern, cutting deep, without cutting through the skin. Season the eggplant halves with salt and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cut side up. Allow the eggplants to sweat for about 30 minutes.
Preheat an over to 400 degrees F.
Hold each eggplant half over a bowl or sink and gently squeeze the moisture out of the vegetable. Pat dry with a kitchen towel.
Place the eggplant halves back on the baking sheet and brush them with olive oil. Flip them around (cut side down) and slide the baking sheet in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the eggplant is softened and become wrinkly.
While the eggplants are baking, prepare the stuffing by heating olive oil in a skillet and adding the chopped onion until slightly caramelized.
Add the ground lamb and break it up with a spoon until no longer pink.
Add barley and stock. Bring to a simmer for about 40-60 minutes for the barley to cook al dente. Transfer mixture to a bowl.
Once the eggplant halves are cooked, allow them to cool a little and scrape the flesh out of the skin and add it to the meat/barley mixture. Add chopped mint and parsley and lemon zest. Add salt & pepper to taste.
Divide the lamb/barley mixture over the eggplant skins and garnish with some long strips of lemon zest.