Toss breaded pieces into a pan, and discover the crisp, supple texture of fried eggplant.

Dishes typically include fried eggplant, beef stew, roasted chicken, grilled trout and, for the boldest palates, tripe in tomato sauce.

And this is where you might find untraditional toppings such as minced porcini or fried eggplant.

This stew is garnished with slices of fried eggplant and squid.

The fried eggplant should be made ahead of time and served at room temperature.

I also like to top pizza with sliced fried eggplant, tomatoes and prosciutto, sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Recommend the fried eggplant (aubergine) as a mezze.

Circles of fried eggplant are stacked into a tower and held together with a luscious mush of eggplant.

Nasushigi (fried eggplant with sweet miso sauce) might have frightened off the unitiated, it was so lacking in the usual elegant Japanese style of presentation.

Sabiḥ is a pita filled with fried eggplant, hardboiled egg, salad, tehina and pickles.