Melitzanosalata

Ingredients

2 eggplants
4 garlic
2 tomatoes
1 gr parsley
2 gr oregano
80 ml olive oil
30 ml wine vinegar

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. From "The Food of Greece" by Vilma Liacouras Chantiles". Avenel Books, NY. Note: You will have excellent results by whipping melitzanosalata in a blender or food processor as well.